By Okoeguale Adolor
April 17, 2024
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the French giants, secured their spot in the UEFA Champions League semi-final despite an initial 3-2 first-leg defeat in France.
With two goals each from Dembele and Vitinha, along with two penalties converted by captain Kylian Mbappe, PSG orchestrated a remarkable turnaround to clinch victory with a 6-4 aggregate scoreline.
Earlier, PSG faced adversity as Barcelona surged ahead, but the game shifted dramatically when Ronald Araujo received a red card, altering the momentum.
Despite trailing 3-2 from the first leg, PSG’s situation worsened when Raphinha scored early in the second leg, giving Barcelona the lead.
Barcelona’s chances dwindled further with Araujo’s dismissal, which he vehemently protested to no avail.
PSG capitalized on the advantage, with Dembele adding to Barcelona’s troubles by scoring a crucial goal.
Following, PSG seized control. Dembele scored before halftime, Vitinha equalized after the break, and Mbappe secured the win with a penalty.
As Barcelona pressed for a late equalizer, Mbappe capitalized with another goal to seal the deal.
Young talents like Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi showcased their abilities, with Yamal impressing by scoring for Barcelona.
However, Barcelona’s lack of discipline proved costly despite their youthful lineup.
With both teams featuring young squads, the match made history with three players under 18 starting “ highlighting the emerging talent on the big stage of football.
Barcelona will lament the impact of the red card, which shifted the dynamics of the game entirely in PSG’s favour, allowing them to dominate possession and eventually overpower the ten-man Barcelona side.
In other match, Borussia Dortmund staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Atletico Madrid 4-2 in their quarter-final second leg on Tuesday, securing a 5-4 aggregate victory and a spot in the Champions League semi-final for the first time since 2013.
Despite trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Dortmund took control with a 2-0 lead at halftime. However, they found themselves behind in the tie once again before Niclas Fuellkrug and Marcel Sabitzer scored within three minutes of each other, propelling the Bundesliga club to the next round.
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