Mats Hummels the hero as Borussia Dortmund stun PSG to qualify for the Champions League final

PSG vs Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League
PSG vs Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League / FRANCK FIFE/GettyImages
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Borussia Dortmund are through to the final of the UEFA Champions League after Mats Hummels' header helped them overcome the challenge of PSG (2-0 on aggregate).

Paris Saint-Germain v Borussia Dortmund: Semi-final Second Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24
Paris Saint-Germain v Borussia Dortmund: Semi-final Second Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24 / Markus Gilliar - GES Sportfoto/GettyImages

A dream 11 years in the making, and it has now finally turned into reality for Borussia Dortmund. The Black and Yellows have qualified for the final of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2013 after claiming a 1-0 win over PSG on Wednesday evening. Mats Hummels, who played in that final in 2013, scored the only goal of the second leg to secure the 2-0 win on aggregate.

A trip to the iconic Wembley stadium now awaits Borussia Dortmund, where they will face either Jude Bellingham and Real Madrid or arch-rivals Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.

Mats Hummels, Emre Can, Nico Schlotterbeck
Paris Saint-Germain v Borussia Dortmund: Semi-final Second Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24 / Matthias Hangst/GettyImages

As has been the case for much of this Champions League campaign for Borussia Dortmund, it was heroic last-ditch defending that helped them get over the line against PSG. Chance after chance fell to the French giants late in the game, but a combination of dogged defending and the woodwork came to the fore for Edin Terzic's side.

The first-half was a very cagey affair, with Borussia Dortmund's disciplined defending ensuring that PSG struggled to create any clear-cut chances. Karim Adeyemi had the best opportunity of the opening 45 on the counter-attack, but he was denied by an excellent save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

PSG increased their intensity after the break and nearly took the lead on the night in the 47th minute, but Warren Zaïre-Emery was denied by the woodwork from close range.

Mats Hummels, Gianluigi Donnarumma
Paris Saint-Germain v Borussia Dortmund: Semi-final Second Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24 / Richard Heathcote/GettyImages

Three minutes later, Borussia Dortmund made them pay and it was Mats Hummels who rose highest and headed home from Julian Brandt's corner. The goal gave BVB the two-goal advantage they were desperately seeking, and allowed them to shut upp shop.

The home side kept pushing for a route back into the game, but they were met with what seemed to be an impenetrable defensive yellow wall. Led by the ageless Hummels, Borussia Dortmund showed incredible resilience and just about managed to keep Kylian Mbappe and co. at bay, securing their place in the final of the UEFA Champions League in the process.

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