Image Source : SCREENGRAB/UEFA Screengrab of Lionel Messi scoring a screamer from 35-yard in opposition to PSG in Paris on Wednesday night time.
Paris Saint-Germain withstood early strain from a much-improved however wasteful Barcelona facet to attract 1-1 on Wednesday and attain the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
PSG lead 4-1 from the primary leg of their round-of-16 recreation and moved 4 targets clear when Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat trick at Camp Nou, netted with a assured penalty within the thirty first minute.
That purpose was firmly in opposition to the run of play and, after Barca had squandered possession and possibilities, Messi equalized within the thirty seventh with a robust shot from 25 meters that tore into the highest left nook.
But the six-time Golden Ball winner then had a penalty saved by goalkeeper Keylor Navas on the stroke of halftime, his first miss from the spot within the Champions League since 2015.
It is the primary time since 2005 that neither Messi nor his nice rival Cristiano Ronaldo have reached the final eight of the competitors, following Juventus’ exit on Tuesday.
Barcelona dominated the primary half and simply might have been forward on the break — and threatening an unlikely comeback — if not for some very wasteful play from winger Ousmane Dembele when it comes to each sloppy passing and poor ending.
“We’ve made a good impression here after a terrific performance,” Barcelona ahead Antoine Griezmann mentioned. “We had lots of chances, we just didn’t take them.”
Barca stored probing within the second half, and Messi had an opportunity from shut vary within the 61st however hesitated a split-second earlier than capturing and allowed defender Marquinhos to dam his shot with the purpose gaping.
“It was a difficult match, Barca played a great game,” Navas said. “They forced us to give everything we had.”
At the identical stage of the competitors 4 years in the past, Barcelona misplaced 4-0 in Paris solely to win 6-1 at Camp Nou in one of many best comebacks in Champions League historical past.
Neymar and Messi tormented PSG that night time, however there was to be no reply this time.
Barca’s coach Ronald Koeman made three substitutions for the closing phases, however the guests’ hopes progressively fizzled out as a chilly wind whipped round Parc des Princes.
Koeman chosen Frenkie de Jong as a makeshift heart half, however a lot of the motion was on the different finish as Barca made a brilliant begin.
Dembele had a low shot saved after which wasted an important likelihood to pick the unmarked Messi moments later, capturing over as a substitute.
Messi performed a move behind PSG’s protection and Dembele burst via, forcing Navas right into a advantageous one-handed save with a low shot. Navas then tipped Sergino Dest’s drive onto the crossbar as Barcelona opened PSG up with its passing and motion.
But Dembele overhit a easy move that may have given Messi an open purpose halfway via the half and Barcelona quickly paid the worth. PSG took the lead after a video evaluation dominated that defender Clement Lenglet clipped striker Mauro Icardi. Mbappe despatched his spot kick to goalie Marc Andre ter Stegen’s proper.
Barca got here straight again and Dembele was erratic once more, hitting a low shot straight at Navas after Griezmann’s excellent angled move gave him house contained in the left of the penalty space.
Messi then took issues into this personal fingers, smashing an unstoppable shot previous Navas with ferocious energy. The goalkeeper did higher when he saved along with his legs from Sergio Busquets as Barcelona poured ahead.
Incessant strain led to a penalty for Barcelona, once more following a VAR examine, when Kurzawa was adjudged to have impeded Griezmann.
Messi appeared hesitant and went for energy in opposition to Navas, his former rival at Real Madrid, who kicked the ball onto the crossbar with an outstretched leg.
“It’s all the time robust to cease a penalty, particularly from Messi who hits them very nicely,” Navas said. “I’m very happy, it gave everybody lots of vitality.”
With that miss, a number of the perception appeared to sap from Barcelona and the second half was extra even.
Mbappe had the final likelihood for PSG, however blazed his shot manner over within the ninetieth with Icardi ready for a move.
(With inputs from AP.)
