Paris Saint-Germain reached the Champions League semi-final after a stunning comeback win against Barcelona.
Paris Saint-Germain beat 10-man Barcelona 1-4 in Spain on Tuesday night to reach the Champions League semi-final for the third time in their history. The French side turned around a first-leg deficit to win the tie 6-4 on aggregate. Luis Enrique’s team will face Dortmund in the semi-final stage.
Barcelona was in control and it seemed they would repeat their first-leg victory. However, it is fair to say they caused many problems for themselves with a red card and a needless penalty. Xavi’s promising side is out of the competition after PSG punished their mistakes.
Raphinha once again came to Barcelona’s help when he scored an early goal, but Ronald Araujo’s red card completely changed the tie’s destiny. Dembele equalized before half-time before Vitinha and Mbappe scored two quick goals at the start of the second half. Mbappe’s late goal gave PSG a memorable victory in a breathtaking and entertaining game in Catalonia.
Barcelona vs PSG: Play-by-Play
PSG started the game promising and pressured Barcelona players with high press. However, it was Barca who opened the scoring with their first dangerous move in the 12th minute. The 16-year-old Yamal went past Nuno Mendes and sent a low cross that Raphinha diverted home at the near post. Raphinha had not scored any goals in the Champions League, but now he has scored three times against PSG.
Lewandowski had a decent chance to double the lead after Raphinha’s low cross from the left reached him, but he sent the ball over the bar.
Everything was going well for Xavi’s side and they were in control until defender Ronald Araujo was shown a straight red card in the 30th minute. Araujo brought down Barcola when he was closing in on the penalty area. Xavi replaced Yamal with Inigo Martinez after his team went to ten men.
Understandably, PSG took control of the match after the red card and managed to equalize in the 40th minute. Barcola sent a cross from the left and Dembele scored against his former team with a terrific finish.
PSG make 10-man Barcelona pay
PSG started the second half on the front foot against 10-men Barca in the second half. Enrique’s team got their goal in the 55th minute after Vitinha scored with a powerful shot from just outside the penalty area.
Barcelona could equalize almost immediately when Lewandowski set up Gundogan, but his shot hit the post and went out. A few moments later, Barca manager Xavi received a red card for his reaction on the touchline.
Just two minutes later, PSG won a penalty after Joao Cancelo fouled Dembele in the 61st minute. Kylian Mbappe scored from the spot to put his team ahead on aggregate.
Barca came close to scoring in the 73rd minute, but Donnarumma denied Lewandowski with a superb save and Marquinhos also blocked Torres’ shot on the rebound.
Raphinha, who just like the first leg was one of the best players on the pitch, went past two PSG players and sent a cross in the 79th minute, but Lewandowski was slow to react and failed to score at the far post.
PSG finished the tie after Mbappe scored on a quick counter-attack in the 89th minute. Ter Stegen first saved Mbappe’s attempt and then denied Asensio, but Kounde failed to clear the ball and Mbappe this time used his opportunity and scored at the near post.
The France superstar now has scored 14 goals in 11 away games in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Barcelona Player Ratings (4-2-3-1)
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen: (GK) – 5/10: Made some good saves and was not at fault for PSG’s goals, but could have done better when Vitinha scored from a long distance.
Joao Cancelo: (LB) – 4/10: Won his battle with Dembele for most of the first half, but could have done when the French men scored. Made mistakes in the second half and gifted a penalty to PSG.
Pau Cubarsi: (CB) – 6/10: Won many of his duels and made great tackles, but made mistakes with his passing and like many of his teammates struggled in the second half.
Ronald Araujo: (CB) – 2/10: Started the game well but played a huge role in his team’s elimination with his reckless foul which saw him receive a red card.
Jules Kounde: (RB) – 7/10: Kept Mbappe quiet in their duels and was Barcelona’s best defender on the night.
Frenkie De Jong: (CM) – 5/10: struggled in his position as the defensive midfielder and failed to make any positive impact on the game.
Pedri: (CM) – 6/10: Helped the team with his passing early in the game but did not receive the ball many times after Araujo’s red card. Struggled physically and was replaced after an hour.
Ilkay Gundogan: (AM) – 6/10: Failed to influence the game and missed a great chance to score.
Raphinha: (LW) – 8/10: Scored again against PSG and was the best and most hardworking Barcelona player.
Robert Lewandowski: (ST) – 5/10: The Polish star failed to affect the game with his hold-up play. Made poor decisions in front of goal.
Lamine Yamal: (RW) – 7/10: Was lively for 30 minutes and created the goal with an individual run.
Substitutes
Inigo Martinez (For Yamal – 34′) – 5/10:
Replaced Yamal after 30 minutes and struggled to deal with PSG forwards.
Ferran Torres (For Pedri – 61′) – 5/10: Tried to help Barca with his running, but his impact was minimal.
Joao Felix (For Cancelo – 82′) – N/A: No time to make an impact.
Fermin Lopez (For De Jong – 82′) N/A: No time to make an impact.
Manager
Xavi 5/10:
It would be harsh to put the result only on him as his team started well and was in control until they went to 10 men. His decision to sacrifice Yamal after Araujo’s red card didn’t work and failed to adjust well to the situation. Lost his temper and was sent off in the second half.
Paris Saint-Germain Player Ratings (4-3-3)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Gk) – 6/10: Could have done better on Raphinha’s goal, but made two great saves in the second half.
Achraf Hakimi (RB) – 7/10: Was solid enough defensively and made an impact with his assist for Dembele’s goal.
Marquinhos (CB) – 7/10: Used his experience well and made some vital blocks, but was nervous on the ball.
Lucas Hernandez (CB) – 7/10: Kept Lewandowski quiet and won many of his duels.
Nuno Mendes (LB)- 5/10: Struggled against Yamal and wasn’t effective in attack.
Warren Zaire-Emery (CM) – 5/10: Was anonymous most of the match and failed to impose himself.
Vitinha (DM) – 8/10: Was composed on the ball and scored another goal. PSG’s best midfielder on the night.
Fabian Ruiz (CM) – 7/10: Solid in and out of possession and won many of his duels in the middle of the pitch.
Ousmane Dembele (RW) – 8/10: Created problems for his former team throughout the game, and scored at a vital time.
Bradley Barcola 8/10: A constant danger with his runs and dribbling in the attacking half. Caused Araujo’s sending-off and won many fouls. PSG’s best player on the night.
Kylian Mbappe (LW) – 7/10: Failed to impose himself in the first half but made the difference in the last 30 minutes with a penalty and a late goal.
Substitutes
Lee Kang-in (For Barcola – 77′) – 5/10: Played for 10 minutes and had little influence.
Marco Asensio (For Ruiz – 77′) – 6/10: Ter Stegen saved his shot before Mbappe scored in the rebound.
Manuel Ugarte (For Zaire-Emery – 80′) – 5/10: Replaced Zaire-Emery in midfield in the 80th minute and helped the team to keep the result.
Randal Kolo Muani (For Dembele – 88′) – N/A: No time to make an impact.
Manager
Luis Enrique 7/10:
His team conceded an early goal but stayed in the game and capitalized on Barcelona’s mistakes. His decision to play with Dembele, Barcola, and Mbappe in attack paid off as all three created many problems for the opponent throughout the game. They produced a focused and energetic performance in Spain.
