RB Leipzig vs PSG result: Sublime Angel Di Maria helps deliver Champions League final - 5 things we learned

RB Leipzig 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain: Marquinhos, Di Maria and Juan Bernat sent the French side through to the final

Di Maria celebrates after Marquinhos scores the opener (POOL/AFP)

Angel Di Maria stole the show to lead a dominant Paris Saint-Germain past RB Leipzig and into the club’s first ever Champions League final.

The opener in a 3-0 victory came when Angel Di Maria’s sublime free-kick was driven home by a Marquinhos header.

And it was two when Peter Gulacsi’s poor pass out of the back was intercepted, leading to Neymar’s gorgeous flick setting up Di Maria to clip into the bottom right corner.

Juan Bernat put the game beyond doubt in bizarre circumstances when Nordi Mukiele slipped, claiming a foul, but play resumed and the Spaniard guided the ball home from a tight angle despite Leipzig protests.

Here are five things we learned from the semi-final at the Estádio da Luz.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Angel Di Maria (L) celebrates with Neymar (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The Di Maria effect

Famed for delivering when it matters most in the big games, Angel Di Maria did not disappoint here after returning from suspension.

A sublime free-kick - perhaps PSG’s best weapon not involving Kylian Mbappe or Neymar, though the Brazilian acted as a decoy here – supplied the opener for the French side. Sent in with added venom, arcing back from the near post across the six-yard line for a gleeful Marquinhos to head home.

It was the Argentine’s 21st assist of the season, providing a telling remind of his ability to make the difference for Thomas Tuchel.

A relentless desire to harass the opposition and force openings saw him ghost into the box and bury Neymar’s clever flick after Peter Gulacsi’s poor pass.

It was not to be his last telling impact either, this time with the comfortable task of lifting the ball into the path of Juan Bernat to make it three and end the game as a contest.

Paris St Germain’s Marquinhos celebrates (REUTERS)

Mukiele endures baptism of fire

What a job it was for Nordi Mukiele, 22, who came in from the start for Marcel Halstenberg. Not only a start, but slotting in on the right side of a back four with the unenviable task of coping with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in sizzling form.

Initially he was not tight enough when Mbappe drifted to the left, sparing him enough room to slip in Neymar for a glorious early chance.

Mukiele covers against Mbappe (Getty)

But he regrouped well and began to judge the distance well; dropping deep to help trace Mbappe’s run in pursuit of long balls over the top, and even hurling himself at a cross to head clear with the French forward lingering at the back post.

Mbappe did have too much pace for him at times, but the understanding to dovetail with Dayot Upamecano and fill the space inside showed encouraging maturity.

Ultimately though a performance filled with positives unravelled due to a poor error in judgement to stay down and protest after slipping under pressure from Ander Herrera, leading to Juan Bernat converting for 3-0, leaving no way back for the Germans.

Tuchel expertly shuffles the pack

It was an obvious move but you cannot understate the importance of upgrading a dysfunctional front three that burdened Neymar, to a slick, rampant trident thanks to Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria replacing Pablo Sarabia and the idle Mauro Icardi.

A telepathic understanding appears to exist among the trio, as demonstrated by Neymar’s delicious back heel to redirect an overhit pass into the path of Di Maria for the second of the night.

Their movement is a joy to witness and, finally, PSG unveiled multiple instances of delightful combination play on the biggest stage worthy of their exorbitant investment. It might only be one facet of the game, but when you can hit this exceptionally high level, even Bayern will struggle to keep them out.

Paris St Germain’s Marquinhos celebrates (REUTERS)

Marquinhos the leader

The Brazilian’s personality has grown over the years and now he appears primed to assume the leadership vacancy that will be left when Thiago Silva departs after this season.

Incredibly still only just 26 years old, despite seven years since swapping Roma for the French capital – tonight’s appearance (281) moved him to within 14 appearances of a place inside the top 10 for all-time PSG appearances.

He also confirmed himself as the first PSG player to ever score in the Champions League semi-finals – with the club blanked twice in 1995 on the only other occasion they have reached this stage – having also saved his side in the 90th minute against Atalanta.

Now comfortable at the highest level in multiple positions, Tuchel can count on the Brazilian as a pivotal part of his plans to finally lift the Champions League.

Maturity lacking for Nagelsmann’s upstarts

Filled with a naivety which sparked their thrilling upset of Atletico Madrid, ultimately a lack of maturity proved deadly with the biggest game of all within reach.

Leipzig, while not atrocious, simply froze, gifting PSG a passage into the game devoid of the usual swarm-like pressing that greets opponents.

The errors came nonetheless, from Peter Gulacsi’s sloppy pass out from the back to Nordi Mukiele slipping and then being joined by teammates in costly appeals as PSG punished their lack of concentration.

The task now is to retain most of their key players, after losing Timo Werner before the Champions League resumed, and hope to build on this breakthrough season.