The first installment of deciding fixtures for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League was absolutely electric and reverberating, with teams ultimately booking their place into the last 4.
Barcelona 1-4 Paris Saint Germain (Aggregate: 4-6)
The encounter was looking like a fixture that would be a one-way show after Raphinha poked Barcelona ahead in the 12th minute.
However, it became a rollercoaster affair as the game wore on, with the Blaugrana side going a man down in the 29th minute, after Ronald Araujo tripped Paris Saint Germain attacker Bradley Barcola, as he sprinted toward the box.
There was a VAR check to that effect, however, despite several arguments from the camp of Barcelona, referee Istvan Kovacs stuck to his decision as it was corroborated by the Video Assistant Referee.
In the 40th minute, Ousmane Dembele equalized for Paris Saint-Germain, with a wonderful right-footed finish that beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal for Xavi Hernandez’s side.
PSG completed the comeback in the tie, with two well-taken goals in the second period, via Vitinha in the 54th minute and Kylian Mbappe in the 61st minute.
Vitinha struck the ball brilliantly into the bottom-left corner, drawing Paris Saint Germain level on aggregate.
Barcelona’s Xavi and Araujo see RED in their UEFA Champions League clash against Paris Saint Germain
Subsequently, Barcelona witnessed another red card, however, this time, it was dished out to gaffer Xavi Hernandez.
Hernandez was brandished a red card in the 56th minute, as the Spaniard was infuriated and his protest was presumed overboard by the referee.
One minute after the hour mark, Kylian Mbappe tucked home a penalty, after Joao Cancelo had fouled Ousmane Dembele in the box.
Dembele was menacing all evening against his former side, accentuating brilliance from time to time.
Mbappe netted his second of the evening in the 89th minute, as he buried home an opportunity, after his attempt and that of Asensio was parried away by Term Stegen.
Unfortunately for Barcelona, Joules Kounde cleared the ball poorly, and it fell into the path of Kylian Mbappe, who hit a left-footed strike into the bottom right corner.
After 90 minutes and additional time, Barcelona crashed out of the UEFA Champions League 6-4 on aggregate, despite savoring hopes of winning the continental crown.
Xavi Hernandez’s final season at the helm apparently will culminate without a trophy, as this was their last hope of a major silverware.
Borussia Dortmund 4-2 Atletico Madrid (Aggregate: 5-4)
Breathtaking scenes were also witnessed at the Signal Iduna Park, as Borussia Dortmund turned things around in the tie.
Edin Terzic engineered his side to a spirited win over Los Rojiblancos, as they pulled the strings fantastically and secured an astonishing win.
Julian Brandt scored the opener for the Black and Yellows in the 34th minute, as he fired the ball home, after taking on Axel Witsel, although he got some minor assistance from Jan Oblak.
Five minutes later, Ian Maatsen doubled the lead for Borussia Dortmund, after he was set up nicely by Marcel Sabitzer.
Edin Terzic’s side were leading on aggregate 3-2 at that point, and it was looking like they had thrown their lead away after Matt Hummels, unfortunately, put the ball beyond his keeper to get the tie back on level terms.
Angel Correa also thought he had won it for Atletico Madrid, but Borussia Dortmund resurrected with two quick-fire goals, through Niclas Füllkrug and Marcel Sabitzer.
Sabitzer, who set up the second for Ian Maatsen, also subsequently set up the third for Füllkrug, with a swashbuckling cross that was met by the head of Niclas Füllkrug.
Marcel Sabitzer afterward got his name on the score sheet, with an excellent low effort, which beat Oblak, and no doubt many have applauded the Austrian for his input on the night, marshaling, coordinating, and controlling things in the game.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid crash out on the night of UEFA Champions League action, whilst Paris Saint Germain and Borussia Dortmund qualify following their respective inspirational comeback wins.
