UCL: How only Lionel Messi has outdone Jadon Sancho in Europe

Jadon Sancho had an outstanding game in Borussia Dortmund’s 1-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg win over Paris Saint-Germain.

The Manchester United loanee neither scored nor assisted in Wednesday’s game at Signal Iduna Park, but he carried a threat all night and could have had a second-half assist had Marquinhos not blocked a goal-bound Julian Brandt effort late on. 

Niclas Fullkrug's 36th-minute effort was enough against a PSG side that hit the post twice after the interlude, with Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi going close for the Parisians. 

Wednesday’s win leaves Edin Terzic’s men on the brink of a first Champions League final since 2013, and Sancho played a pivotal part in their success. 

Sancho completed 12 take-ons in the first-leg triumph, which has outshone every Champions League semi-finalist since Lionel Messi’s 16 against Manchester United in the 2008 semifinal. 

The Dortmund man became the first Englishman on Opta's records to beat his marker as frequently in a Champions League game to underscore the wide attacker's exceptional showing. 

Furthermore, Sancho won the most duels (13), had more touches inside the opposition box (11) than anyone else and created a joint-high three chances. 

Dortmund return to Bundesliga action this weekend against Augsburg on May 4 before travelling to Paris for the reverse fixture on May 7, keen to ward off PSG's expected barrage.