Mbappe Tows PSG to Semifinals!

April 17, 2024

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Sports Desk, Apr 17 ( EFE).-

Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to beat 10-man Barcelona 4-1 and advance to the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Barcelona, who won 3-2 in Paris last week, took the lead from their first serious move when Raphinha met a Lamine Yamal cross in the 12th minute and made an unerring finish to extend their advantage.

The former champions were in control at the Olympic stadium despite offensive play by the Parisian and had the chance to kill the game off a few minutes later, but Robert Lewandowski fired over the bar.

The complexion of the game was changed completely after Barcelona central defender Ronald Araujo was sent off at the half-hour mark for felling Bradley Barcola, who was advancing towards goal, on the edge of the box.

Ousmane Dembele wasted the resulting free-kick but took center stage, posing a constant threat for his former side down the right flank.

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez responded to the red card by withdrawing Lamine Yamal and sending Inigo Martinez, but the side’s ultra-defensive play did not bring any results.

Dembele drew his side level five minutes from meeting Barcola’s cross with a fiercely angled finish.

Luis Enrique’s side stepped up the pressure after the break, forcing Marc-Andre ter Stegen to push an Achraf Hakimi effort over his crossbar.

Barcola had a sight of goal from close range, and Fabien Ruiz shot wide from the angle before Vitinha used the space he found outside the penalty box to fire into the bottom corner of the net to finally put PSG in the box seat.

Mbappe stepped up to score from a penalty after Joao Cancelo had brought down Dembele with 29 minutes left in the game.

Raphinha provided Barcelona with a glimmer of hope for a second comeback after his outstanding performance in Paris, but he was denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma with a minute left.

Moments later, it was all over for Barcelona as Mbappe pounced on a loose ball to seal the contest after Ter Stegen had saved from Marco Asensio.

“Everyone believed, even if we lost the first leg 3-2. We didn’t give up, we knew we were going to score goals here,” said Dembele.

“It was a big shift from the whole team. We worked the entire week, tactically, with the coach. His tactics were perfect. Even though we conceded the first goal, we didn’t let our heads drop. We continued to believe.”