Cameroonian Choupo-Moting sends PSG into Champions League semis

Cameroon international Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was the hero in Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) 2 1 Champions League quarter-final comeback against Atalanta.

Having already taken the lead in the first-half thanks to Chelsea loanee Mario Pasalic goal, the Italian club looked in control of the game.

However, 31-year-old  Choupo-Moting came off the bench in the 79th minute for the ineffective Mauro Icardi with a game-changing effect and mindset.

He was involved in a lofted pass behind Atalanta’s defence in the 90th minute which Brazil international Neymar brought down and squared to his international teammate Marquinhos for the equaliser.

Three minutes later, the unlikely hero tapped home the late winner from fellow substitute Kylian Mbappe’s cross to give the French champions a 2 1 win at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.

“It was a crazy game. A tough game against a tough opponent. It wasn’t easy. Neymar had a great game,” Choupo-Moting told BT Sport.

“I thought when I was coming on, ‘We can’t lose, we can’t go home like this’. I was confident in myself and the team.

“We had a good feeling in the team. We are enjoying good moments on and off the pitch. We won four trophies but this one is the most important.

“We believe in ourselves. Everyone knows we have top-quality individuals but we wanted to show team [work]. I’m very happy we did it today.

The win propelled PSG into the last four of the European competition for the first time since 1994-95.

They will now face either RB Leipzig or Atletico Madrid in the semi-final at the Estadio da Luz.