Mbappe’s Brace Sends PSG Soaring Past Barcelona in Champions League Quarter-finals

In a thrilling showdown at the Camp Nou, Paris Saint-Germain orchestrated a remarkable comeback to defeat Barcelona 6-4 on aggregate, securing their berth in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. The 4-1 victory in Catalonia not only marked PSG’s triumph but also extended an intriguing trend, with the home team failing to secure victory in the last four encounters between the two sides.

The fixture between PSG and Barcelona has long been a spectacle of riveting football, and this encounter proved to be no exception. From the outset, it was evident that fans were in for a captivating contest.

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Barcelona wasted no time asserting their dominance, scoring early in the 12th minute as Lamine Yamal expertly navigated past Nuno Mendes to set up Raphinha for the opening goal. Moments later, Robert Lewandowski’s attempt narrowly missed the mark after Mendes failed to clear a dangerous cross from Raphinha.

Despite Barcelona’s early lead, PSG refused to relent, finding a lifeline in the 29th minute when Ronald Araujo’s foul on Bradley Barcola resulted in a red card and a penalty for PSG. Ousmane Dembele capitalized on the opportunity, equalizing for PSG with a well-placed strike, much to the dismay of his former supporters at the Camp Nou.

Dembele’s threat continued to loom large as he came close to adding a second goal before halftime, signaling PSG’s growing momentum in the match.

The second half saw PSG intensify their assault, with Vitinha leveling the tie with a precise finish from a corner routine in the 54th minute. Barcelona’s woes compounded when manager Xavi Hernandez was sent off, followed by Joao Cancelo conceding a penalty that Kylian Mbappe confidently converted, propelling PSG into the aggregate lead.

Despite Barcelona’s attempts to rally, PSG held firm defensively, with Gianluigi Donnarumma making crucial saves to deny Barcelona’s offensive threats. Mbappe’s second goal of the night sealed PSG’s victory, ensuring they advanced to the semi-finals and dashed Barcelona’s hopes of a comeback.

PSG’s triumph not only marked a significant milestone in their Champions League campaign but also denied Barcelona a chance to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2019. Additionally, PSG’s victory after losing the first leg at home for the first time in eight attempts showcased their resilience and determination in pursuit of the coveted Champions League title.