In a thrilling Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday, Borussia Dortmund defeated visiting Paris St. Germain 1-0 thanks to a goal from Niclas Fuellkrug in the first half.

In the 36th minute, Germany’s Fuellkrug scored a goal with a low shot that beat goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after Nico Schlotterbeck floated a pass into his path.

After winning Ligue 1, PSG was eager to capture the Champions League title for the first time.

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However, they struggled against a disciplined German defence, particularly in the first half when Kylian Mbappe was virtually neutralised.

The victors of the tie will play either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, who drew 2-2 in their first leg in Germany, in the final at Wembley on June 1.

The return leg of the tie takes place in Paris on Tuesday.

With three games remaining in the Bundesliga, Dortmund, who are currently in fifth place, will be the main beneficiaries of Germany’s fifth qualifying berth for the Champions League next season, as confirmed by the win.

Marcel Sabitzer of Dortmund came quite near just before halftime, but Donnaruma stopped his attempt.

After the break, the French team showed improvement, and in the 52nd minute, Mbappe curled a shot onto the far post, and Achraf Hakimi also struck the woodwork with the rebound, bringing the game agonisingly close to an equaliser.

After being left completely unmarked in the box, Fabian Ruiz had his stooping header sail wide four minutes later.

In the 71st minute, Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel denied Ousmane Dembele’s close-range shot.

Dortmund, the 1997 champions and favourites to make it to their first final since 2013, took it all in when Vitinha of PSG just missed the mark ten minutes later.