In a gripping showdown at the Parc des Princes, Barcelona clinched a 3-2 victory over Paris Saint-Germain with Raphinha double, while Atletico Madrid seized an early advantage against Dortmund, eventually winning 2-1. Despite strong performances in the first leg, both teams will encounter obstacles in the forthcoming matches, notably due to the suspensions of Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto and Atletico’s Samuel Lino.
Barcelona returns from Paris with a slender one-goal advantage after an impressive outing. The initial matches of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals ended with excitement on Wednesday, witnessing a total of eight goals across two games. Both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid hold narrow leads as they look ahead to the second leg.
Offensive play dominated the action at the Parc des Princes, where PSG and Barcelona collectively registered over 30 shots, resulting in five goals. Barcelona surged ahead in the 37th minute courtesy of Raphinha, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime before an exhilarating second-half unfolded.
PSG equalized in the 48th minute through Ousmane Dembele‘s strike against his former team, then swiftly grabbed the lead in the 50th minute with Vitinha’s goal. Barcelona, however, clawed their way back into the match as Raphinha completed his brace in the 62nd minute, followed by Andreas Christensen’s header from a corner in the 77th minute.
Barcelona’s latest showing underscores their resilience, hinting at potential changes in the upcoming summer while showcasing a strong performance on Wednesday, especially with Xavi nearing the end of his managerial tenure.
The initial goal in Wednesday’s Champions League clash was netted by Rodrigo De Paul, exploiting Dortmund’s defensive vulnerabilities to secure an early lead for Atleti. Lino doubled the advantage in the 32nd minute, capitalizing on another defensive lapse by Dortmund. Despite Atleti appearing on track for a comfortable win, Sebastian Haller’s 81st-minute goal for Dortmund injected fresh hope into his team’s chances for the second leg next week.
Final scores: Paris Saint-Germain 2, Barcelona 3
- 37′ Raphinha opens the scoring in an energetic match.
- 48′ Dembele equalizes with a stunning strike.
- 50′ Vitinha edges PSG ahead 2-1.
- 62′ Raphinha secures his brace with a volley.
- 77′ Christensen regains Barcelona’s lead from a corner.
Atletico Madrid 2, Borussia Dortmund 1
- 4′ De Paul capitalizes on Dortmund’s frail defense for the opener.
- 32′ Lino doubles Atletico’s advantage in another vulnerable moment for Dortmund.
- 81′ Haller scores from close range, providing Dortmund with a glimmer of hope.
In a thrilling encounter at the Parc des Princes, Raphinha emerged as the hero for Barcelona, securing a crucial victory with his brace. His decisive contributions tilted the balance in Barcelona’s favor, as they triumphed 3-2 over PSG. Raphinha’s exceptional performance showcased his ability to seize key moments, leaving a lasting impression on the match and securing a vital result for his team.
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