PSG Eliminate Barca After Messi's Mixed Evening
11 March, 2021
UEFA Champions League
Result: Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 FC Barcelona (5-2 agg.)
Date: 10 March 2021
Venue: Parc de Princes
Lionel Messi got on the scoresheet but missed a penalty as FC Barcelona were sent crashing out of the UEFA Champions League at the Last 16 Stage with a 5-2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Mauricio Pochettino was still without Neymar, who had not been passed fit to handle his former club. with Moise Kean being replaced by Julian Draxler. Likewise, there is just the main one alteration from Barca’s team in the first leg, as Ronald Koeman replaced Gerard Pique with Oscar Mingueza.
In the ninth minute, Layvin Kurzawa conceded a free-kick for a foul on Ousmane Dembele with Messi angling a venomous effort over the defensive wall and Navas' left-hand upright.
In the 18th minute, Dembele broke free inside penalty area on the left and smashed in a minimal shot that Navas stretched out an arm to avoid to his left.
Barca were really taking the overall game to their hosts and 5 minutes later, Sergio Dest broke within the penalty area on the proper, continuing to advance before arrowing in a go that Navas added a fingertip to, diverting your time and effort onto the crossbar.
Clement Lenglet gave away a penalty after around 30 minutes when he fouled Icardi in the area and Mbappe sent a cool penalty in to the top right-hand corner of Ter Stegen's net as the keeper dived the wrong way to provide the Blaugrana a lot more of a mountain to climb.
Messi levelled on the night time with an unbelievable strike five minutes before the break, swerving shot from a considerable distance that gave goalkeeper Navas zero chance, whooshing in to the right-hand corner of his net.
And in the 3rd minute of first-half stoppage time, Barca won a penalty when Griezmann was felled by Kurzawa. Messi stepped up but Navas dived the proper way, to his right, and deflected the Argentine's strike onto the crossbar and out.
On the hour mark, A little bit of pinball in the area almost saw Messi discover a gap, but his close-range shot was blocked. Griezmann tried to latch onto the loose ball, but couldn't hook up with it.
The visitors weren't in a position to put as much strain on the Parisians in the next half with Mbappe looking dangerous on the counter.
There is one last opportunity for Koeman's side for a consolation goal. Dembele got into an excellent position, but just lacked the clinical nature to stick out a leg and prod within an exceptional cross from Alba.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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