With an extra player for most of the match, Paris Saint-Germain fought back against Barcelona to secure a spot in the Champions League semifinals.
Kylian Mbappé netted two goals as PSG overturned their first-leg defeat at home with a 4-1 victory against Barcelona on Tuesday, advancing 6-4 on aggregate. This victory keeps PSG’s dreams of claiming their first European title, especially in what is set to be France star Mbappé’s final season with the club.
Former Barcelona players Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha also found the net for PSG, capitalizing on Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo’s red card in the 29th minute for fouling Bradley Barcola during a potential breakaway.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández expressed his disappointment with the red card decision, stating, “When it was 11 against 11 we were well organized.
The sending-off changes everything. The match changed completely.” Xavi himself was later sent off for protesting the decision.
Despite Barcelona’s early lead with a goal from Raphinha in the 12th minute, PSG took control of the game with a numerical advantage and maintained their dominance till the end.
Xavi was forced to make a tactical substitution, replacing young forward Lamine Yamal with defender Iñigo Martínez after Araujo’s red card, as the referee deemed him to be the last defender during the foul.
