PSV has qualified for the eighth final of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in nine years. At the Philips Stadium it became 2-1 on a sweltering European evening. Coach Phillip Cocu's team battled for every meter on Tuesday night and was rewarded for it in the closing stages, with Luuk de Jong and Davy Pröpper combining to reverse a Russian goal.
Predominance PSV
Supported in part by a passionate Philips Stadium - which was already buzzing before the game - PSV had the best opportunities before halftime. However, the chances were few and far between, as too often the final pass was just off the mark or even missing. In the tenth minute, for example, when Pereiro could have put De Jong free in front of goal, but decided to shoot himself. About twenty minutes later, De Jong was played the ball perfectly. Around the half-hour mark, the captain was free to nod in from a Moreno cross, but found goalkeeper Akinfeev instead of the free left corner. CSKA Moscow did little in return, thanks in part to a tenacious Bruma. Zoet had to save only once. A free kick by Tosic seemed to end up in the far corner, but the goalkeeper saved PSV from a goal.
Pröpper pops PSV to the eighth final
After halftime, the match came full circle. Tension rose and because CSKA Moscow also had to look for a goal, the Russians came out more and more often. After some pinpricks back and forth, it was CSKA's turn first. Guardado was ruled to have fouled in the penalty area, after which Ignashevic was awarded a penalty kick. Although Zoet was booed, the defender made no mistake and that meant that PSV suddenly found themselves trailing 1-0 fifteen minutes before time. It didn't take long for the team to come back, however. After a deflected free kick by Guardado, Hendrix reintroduced the ball with his head after which De Jong remained very cool and scored the 1-1. Five minutes before time, Philips Stadium exploded when Davy Pröpper brought PSV to the lead with a devastating strike. One it would not relinquish again.
