Paris Saint-Germain advanced to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a 4-1 win over ten-man FC Barcelona Tuesday night.
UEFA Champions League
Result: Barcelona 1-4 Paris Saint-Germain (PSG won 6-4 on agg.)
Date: 16 April 2024
Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
Achraf Hakimi returned to the PSG defence after missing the first leg in Paris, while Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola were also recalled by coach Luis Enrique.
The home side got off to the perfect start when Lamine Yamal did well to skip past Nuno Mendes before sending a ball to the near post, where Raphinha was on hand to poke home his third goal of the tie.
PSG had bossed possession up to that point and they continued to do so after falling behind, but they were finding it tough to carve out clear-cut openings in the Barcelona box.
Barcelona's task of seeing out the clash was made a bit tougher when they lost defender Ronald Araújo to a straight red for a professional foul on Barcola, who was clean through on goal.
However, PSG went on to equalise on the night as Barcola carved out some space on the left and sent a cross to the far post where former Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele was on hand to smash home.
Enrique's charges doubled their lead eight minutes after the break when a quick corner saw Hakimi tee up Vitinha who was given time and space to find the bottom corner with a lovely strike from distance.
A few minutes later, PSG were afforded the chance to grab the lead in the tie from the penalty spot after Dembele has been fouled by Joao Cancelo. Kylian Mbappe stepped up and rifled his spot-kick into the top corner to put his side 4-3 up on aggregate.
Despite being a man down and without Xavi Hernandez on the touchline, Barcelona went close to pulling a goal back on 77 minutes through Raphinha, who dragged his shot wide of the mark.
However, PSG made the game safe on 88 minutes when a swift counter attack ended with Mbappe completing his brace with a close-range finish after a scramble in the box, sending his side to the final.
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