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Mbappe Brace Seals PSG’s Semi-Final Spot At Barcelona’s Expense

Mbappe Brace Seals PSG’s Semi-Final Spot At Barcelona’s Expense

Having bagged a 3-2 win at the Parc des Princes on April 10, Barcelona were bubbling with confidence coming into the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Playing in front of a packed Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday (April 16), the Blaugrana truly believed they would see out the Parisians and secure passage into the semi-final for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

As the night aged, their hope turned into desperation. Luis Enrique’s men comprehensively outclassed Xavi’s boys and bagged a brilliant 4-1 win in Catalonia, cruising to the semi-final with a 6-4 aggregate scoreline.

Barcola’s Dancing Feet Reduce Barcelona To 10 Men in The First Half

PSG came charging out of the gates at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday night, but they could not put Barca goalie Marc-Andre ter Stegen under pressure. Having survived the early onslaught, Barcelona went on the attack in the 12th minute, and put their noses in front, courtesy of a brilliant bit of play by 16-year-old Lamine Yamal. The winger dashed down the right flank, beat Nuno Mendes, and swung a brilliant low cross into the area. Raphinha met the delivery with his shin to send it into the back of the net.

PSG created a couple more chances over the next 15 minutes, but Barcelona were largely at ease. It all changed in the 29th minute when Bradley Barcola tricked Ronald Araujo into getting a red card. Barcola latched on to a through-ball down the left and cut inside, running clear of last man Araujo. Eager to stop him, the Uruguayan pulled him down and the referee unhesitantly presented a straight red. Barca argued for the following few minutes, but neither the referee nor the VAR was moved.

Five minutes before the break, PSG made their extra man count, as Ousmane Dembele applied a first-time finish to Barcola’s low cross at the far post. Nine minutes into the second half, Vitinha found the back of Barcelona’s net with…


Source link : https://sportslens.com/news/barcelona-psg-kylian-mbappe-barca-champions-league/

Author : Sushan Chakraborty

Publish date : 2024-04-17 06:04:15

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