As a result of PSG’s comeback victory over Barcelona, which resulted in a 4-1 victory, the team secured a 6-4 aggregate victory and a spot in the Champions League semifinals on Tuesday night.
Barcelona maintained their lead from the first leg of the match that took place the previous week by claiming a 3-2 victory in Paris. They expanded their lead after 12 minutes by utilizing Lamine Yamal’s excellent play, which was followed by Raphinha’s successful completion of his cross.
However, the draw was broken just before the half-hour mark when Ronald Araujo was sent off for a last-man challenge on Bradley Barcola. Then, Ousmane Dembele came back to torment his former club as he brought Paris Saint-Germain to a level on the night.
Vitinha scored a goal from a long range, while Kylian Mbappe scored twice to ensure that Paris Saint-Germain would advance to the round of four. The French giants dominated the second half of the match.
Sam Brookes, of Mail Sport, provides his evaluations of the players on both squads.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice in the second half to book PSG’s place in the Champions League semi-finals
Barcelona (4-3-3)
Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 6
Got down sharply to deny Mbappe in the first half. Not much he could do about the goals.
Jules Kounde – 5.5
Panicked when trying to clear the ball for PSG’s fourth goal, presenting a chance for Mbappe that he never looked like missing.
Ronald Araujo – 3
Disastrous moment for the defender as he took out Barcola when he was through on goal just before the half hour mark. Given a straight red card, and it looked the right call.
Ronald Araujo was sent off in the first half and his dismissal triggered Barcelona’s collapse
Pau Cubarsi – 6.5
Can hold his head high after making a couple of important interceptions, including one where he did excellently to atone for his own mistake. The 17-year-old has a huge future ahead of him.
Joao Cancelo – 4.5
Foolish tackle on Dembele to gift PSG a penalty when there was no danger. Had a tough time against the Frenchman throughout.
Joao Cancelo gave away a cheap penalty with a foolish tackle on Ousmane Dembele
Frenkie de Jong – 5.5
Not able to get into the game, especially when Barcelona went down to 10 men.
Ilkay Gundogan – 5.5
Put a good chance wide in the second half that would have given Barcelona the aggregate lead again. Then booked for diving in the box.
Pedri – 5.5
Unable to get on the ball and dictate the play like he normally does. It became a backs-to-the-wall job after Araujo was sent off and that’s not really his game.
Lamine Yamal – 7
Outstanding burst of pace to leave Mendes behind for the first goal. Sacrificed when Araujo was sent off, but had already made a big impact in the first half hour.
Raphinha – 7
The hero of the first leg and he was in the right place at the right time to give Barcelona the lead here, albeit it with his shin. They all count. Had another strong run in the second half but dragged his shot wide.
Raphinha scored twice last week and opened the scoring with his shin on Tuesday night
Robert Lewandowski – 6
Fired over a glorious chance at 1-0 that would have put Barcelona three goals clear on aggregate. Would have expected someone of his class to hit the target.
Substitutes
Inigo Martinez – 6
A tough task coming on midway through a quarter-final with his team down to 10 men. Did little wrong but Barcelona were simply overpowered in the second half.
Ferran Torres – N/A
Joao Felix – N/A
Fermin Lopez – N/A
Manager
Xavi – 5
May regret taking Yamal off when Barcelona were reduced to 10 men, and then was sent off after losing his cool on the touchline.
Xavi struggled to keep his cool and was sent off in the second half for his protests
PSG (4-3-3)
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 5.5
No chance with Raphinha’s goal. Parried a Lewandowski shot in the second half into the danger area, but Marquinhos bailed him out of trouble.
Achraf Hakimi – 6
Will feel a bit unlucky with Raphinha’s goal as he matched the run but it went in off the Brazilian’s knee. A solid outing otherwise.
Marquinhos – 6.5
Crucial interception to help out Donnarumma when Torres was following up a fierce Lewandowski shot.
Marquinhos delivered a captain’s performance at the back for PSG
Lucas Hernandez – 6
Not called upon much with PSG dominating the ball before and after Barcelona’s red card.
Nuno Mendes – 5
Got caught flat-footed when trying to keep Yamal at bay for Barcelona’s first goal. The teenager didn’t need a second invitation to breeze past him.
Warren Zaire Emery – 5.5
One of his quieter games, with PSG’s other attacking players taking centre stage.
Fabian Ruiz – 6
Spurned a huge chance early in the second half, but got into some promising positions, with PSG causing problems down their left flank.
Vitinha – 7
Given time on the edge of the box from a corner and he picked out the bottom corner in style to bring his side level on aggregate.
Vitinha fired home a stunning strike from the edge of the area in the second half
Ousmane Dembele – 8
Returned to haunt his former club, firing into the roof of the net from Barcola’s cross. Then won a penalty after Cancelo’s foul in the box. Not everything he tried came off, but he is a handful for any full back.
Ousmane Dembele netted against his former club in the first half to get PSG back into the tie
Bradley Barcola – 7
Looked a threat from the start and was involved in Araujo’s sending-off. Then put in the inviting cross for Dembele to tap home.
Kylian Mbappe – 7.5
Had a quiet first half but stepped up when needed to tuck home his penalty. Was then on hand to fire home the goal that put the tie beyond doubt.
Substitutes
Lee Kang-In – N/A
Marco Asensio – N/A
Manuel Ugarte – N/A
Randal Kolo Muani – N/A
Manager
Luis Enrique – 7
Got his starting XI right after he was criticised last week. Helped out by Barcelona’s red card, but his tactics were much more effective this time around.
Luis Enrique got his tactics right this week and it paid off for his side as they progressed