Barcelona complete greatest Champions League comeback to stun Paris Saint-Germain
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Updated 09/03/2017 at 10:08 GMT
Champions League last 16 second leg, Camp Nou - Barcelona 6 (Suarez 3, Kurzawa 40 og, Messi 50 pen, Neymar 88, 90+1 pen, Roberto 90+5) Paris Saint-Germain 1 (Cavani 62) - Barcelona win 6-5 on aggregate
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique and Sergi Roberto celebrate after the game
Image credit: Reuters
Barcelona scored three goals in the dying minutes to produce the greatest comeback in Champions League history with a 6-1 drubbing of Paris Saint-German at the Camp Nou completing an astonishing 6-5 aggregate success in the last 16.
A late Neymar double left Barcelona needing one more goal with five minutes of added time to play before Sergi Roberto scored with the virtually the final kick of the game in the five minutes of added time to seal a 6-5 aggregate win that had to be seen to be believed.
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Barcelona players celebrate after the game
Image credit: Reuters
The Catalan giants become the first team to overhaul a 4-0 first-leg deficit in the competition as PSG were left wondering how they have not advanced to the quarter-finals after blowing their lead from the first leg at the Parc des Princes three weeks ago.
Barcelona had got off to the perfect start when Luis Suarez nodded them ahead and were 2-0 up at the break thanks to a Layvin Kurzawa own goal.
Lionel Messi’s penalty made it 3-0 on 50 minutes after Neymar had been fouled. It left Barca needing one more goal to force extra time, but Edinson Cavani’s volley appeared to take the game beyond Barca.
Barca weren't finished as a couple from Neymar, a blistering free-kick on 88 minutes and a penalty moments later - after Suarez had appeared to dive to earn the spot-kick - set up the grandstand finish.
Roberto was the hero as he clipped a volley into the net from Neymar's delivery after PSG's offside trap failed to work with visiting goalkeeper Kevin Trapp left helpless as the ball hit the back of the net to send the home fans into raptures.
While there was disbelief among the PSG players and fans, some Barca fans were left in tears after an astonishing night that had to be seen to be believed.
TALKING POINT
PSG capitulate as Luis Enrique (somehow) marches on. PSG crumbled under the Nou Camp lights. This was supposed to be their night, their tournament. A first-leg humbling of Barca saw them announce themselves to Europe as real contenders for the Champions League. However, an early goal set the precedent and the Parisian outfit were quite simply hopeless defensively. Two penalties, an own goal and defensive errors aplenty led to Barcelona’s six goals.
For Luis Enrique, that could well be the night he is remembered for – of course he won the treble in his first season, but the memories of tonight’s game will live with the Barca boss – and all their fans – forever. Momentum is with them in La Liga, and now, once again, they find themselves in the Champions League’s last eight. Could this be a final season to remember?
MAN OF THE MATCH
Neymar (Barcelona): Two goals in the dying minutes from the Brazilian set up the dramatic finish. It hasn’t gone all his way this season, but Neymar popped up when it mattered most – and his final ball for Sergi Roberto’s winner was exquisite.
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Barcelona's Neymar celebrates after the game
Image credit: Reuters
Big matches need big performances – Neymar answered the call and somehow his side live to fight another day and another round.
PLAYER RATINGS
Barcelona: Ter Stegen 6, Mascherano 6, Pique 6, Umtiti 8, Rafinha 6, Rakitic 6, Busquets 7, Iniesta 8, Messi 7, Suarez 7, Neymar 8. Subs: Turan 6, S Roberto 7.
PSG: Trapp 4, Meunier 5, Marquinhos 4, Silva 5, Kurzawa 4, Rabiot 6, Verratti 5, Matuidi 5, Lucas 6, Cavani 6, Draxler 6. Subs: Di Maria 6, Aurier 6.
KEY MOMENTS
3 - GOAL BARCELONA! IT'S OVER THE LINE! - What a start to the match for Barcelona! A cross from Rafinha comes in - it deflects into the air and Suarez is there to head the ball over the on-rushing Trapp. Replays show it's a yard over the line and Barca have one back already. Wow.
40’ - GOAL TO BARCELONA! 2-0!!! A ball comes over the top for Iniesta and he doesn't give up the lost cause - somehow Marquinhos doesn't manage to shepherd the ball out and Iniesta flicks it across goal. Kurzawa swings at it and slices in into his own net. Barca need just two more now to level the tie!
50’ - MESSI SCORES FROM THE SPOT! BARCELONA 3-0 PSG - Some initial confusion as the referee dismisses Barca's claims for a penalty after Neymar goes down. But after consulting his man behind the goal he points to the spot. Messi steps up and although Trapp guesses the right way, it's too powerful and now Barca need just one more goal to force extra time.
62’ - GOAL CAVANI!! BARCELONA 3-1 PSG - The goal that puts the game beyond Barca? Rakitic sees yellow as he cynically pulls back Draxler. The free-kick is taken quick and it's headed down for Cavani who unleashes an unstoppable half volley from inside the area. That should settle PSG's nerves and Barca need three to qualify.
88’ - WHAT A FREE-KICK FROM NEYMAR! BARCELONA 4-1 PSG - From just outside the corner of the penalty area Neymar whips in a free-kick into the near-post top corner. Trapp rooted to the spot and it's a terrific free-kick in truth, but too little too late you would feel.
90’ - NEYMAR SCORES FROM THE SPOT! Suarez takes a tumble under pressure from Marquinhos. And the referee has bought it. Neymar converts the penalty. And into added time we go..
90+5' GOAL TO BARCELONA! UNBELIEVABLE! THE greatest comeback in Champions League history.... Three goals since the 88th minute! Cross comes in and the hero of the hour is Sergi Roberto!
KEY STATS
- Barcelona are the first side in Champions League and European Cup history to overturn a first-leg 4-goal deficit.
- Barcelona have progressed past the round of 16 in each of the last 10 seasons, the longest run ever in the competition.
- Edinson Cavani is now Paris' joint-highest scorer in the Champions League alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic (20).
- Only three players to have played 20+ CL games have scored in 50%+ of their apps; Ruud van Nistelrooy (58%), Lionel Messi (51%) & Cavani (50%).
- Cavani has now scored in 22 different UCL matches - the only South Americans to score in more are Kaka (23) & Messi (58).
- Lionel Messi scored his 37th Champions League goal in the knockout stages; only Cristiano Ronaldo has more (44).
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