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      Araújo's red proved crucial...

      PSG into semi-final after defeating 10-men Barça

      2024/04/16 22:10
      E2

      Paris Saint-Germain knew they had an uphill task going into this game at Montjuic 3-2 after the first leg in France.

      However, despite a positive start, it was Barcelona who took the lead after Lamine Yamal did well to get to the byline and get a ball into the danger area which went in off Raphinha. The former Leeds United player didn't know much about it after it hit his standing leg but regardless it put Barça 4-2 up on aggregate and seemingly comfortable.

      However, the tie changed in the 29th minute when Ronald Araújo received a straight red card for his foul on Bradley Barcola, who was through on goal and then brought down on the edge of the area.

      Xavi was forced to bring on Iñigo Martínez for the lively Yamal to compensate but that sending off gave PSG hope.

      @Getty /
      The visitors levelled the scoring on the night in the 40th minute when Barcola put in a low cross that found former Barcelona man Ousmane Dembélé at the far post to score against his former club again.

      The scores were level on aggregate 4-4 in the 54th minute after some poor defending from Barcelona. PSG had a corner on the right and were able to pass the ball around the area with little pressure where Vitinha had time and space to fire a pinpoint shot past Marc ter Stegen.

      Barça came close to getting ahead in the tie again just seconds later but Ilkay Gundogan's effort just clipped the post.

      Tempers were flaring among the Barcelona team with manager Xavi also receiving a red card for his touchline protests.

      Xavi then wasn't in the dugout when his side conceded a penalty. João Cancelo's challenge on Dembélé, who was going nowhere, was poorly timed and reckless with referee István Kovács pointing to the spot.

      Kylian Mbappé's penalty was inch perfect with the forward firing the ball into the roof of the net giving the Barcelona goalkeeper no chance to make it 3-1 to PSG on the night and 5-4 on aggregate.

      Barça had to go forward after that and they were eventually caught out late on as Mbappé was able to wrap up the points. Ter Stegen did well to save the initial Mbappé effort as PSG broke as well as Marco Asensio's effort. 

      But as Barcelona tried to clear the ball it fell kindly to Mbappé who was happy to take advantage and finish the tie: 4-1 to the PSG on the night and 6-4 to them on aggregate.

      Comments

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      motivo:
      LH
      2024-04-16 23h13m by lhalliday_bart
      As a PSG fan, I can't believe how quickly the tide turned in this game! We started off strong but that red card for Araújo really changed everything. It's going to be a tough uphill battle from here, but I still have faith in my team!
      2024-04-16 22h47m by edavidson
      I&
      featured game(s)
      U Tuesday, 16 April 2024 - 20:00
      Olímpic Lluís Companys
      István Kovács
      1-4
      Raphinha 12'
      Ousmane Dembélé 40'
      Vitinha 55'
      Kylian Mbappé 61' (pen.) 89'

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