PSG vs Barcelona: Raphinha scores twice as Barca beat PSG

• Brazilian winger Raphinha scored two goals as Barcelona beat PSG 3-2 at the Parc des Princes
• This was the first time that Barcelona had won against PSG in the French capital since 2015 also in the quarter-finals of the Champions League

New-look Barcelona secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) during the PSG vs Barcelona fixture played on Wednesday night. The Spanish giants were in danger of being overawed by the crowd at the Parc des Princes but managed to remain calm and turned the game around after falling behind.

Brazilian winger Raphinha opened the scoring for Barcelona in the first half but PSG went in front shortly after the break, thanks to two quick goals from former Barca attacker Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha. Raphinha scored again after the hour mark to level the scores before Andreas Christensen headed home the winning goal from a corner.

PSG vs Barcelona. Photo/ NewsNow Nigeria.

Even though the tie is far from over, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez was impressed by his side’s win and the way they kept Kylian Mbappe quiet throughout the night.

“It’s a big win of course, playing a game away in the Champions League. But we are missing one game in Barcelona. We did really well in defence and attack. Especially in defence, everyone worked for the team. Tactically, we did really, really well… We defended so well against Mbappe, with [Jules] Kounde and Ronald Araujo. And we created so many chances.” Xavi said after the PSG vs Barcelona match, according to Sky Sports.

Xavi’s side now have a crucial advantage heading to the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie against the Parisians in Spain. The return leg will be played on Tuesday, April 16, and Barca will be without captain Sergi Roberto and Wednesday’s goalscorer Christensen who both picked up bookings in Paris.

PSG Vs Barcelona

Five-time winners FC Barcelona knew they had a difficult task ahead of them travelling to Paris to face a Kylian Mbappe led PSG side. Despite facing one of the most dominant teams in Europe, Xavi included youngsters such as Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest ever player to start a Champions League quarter-final match at the age of 16 years 272 days and Pau Cubarsi who became the second youngest aged 17 years 79 days.

PSG tried to make their home advantage count early on, creating several decent chances. However, they weren’t clinical enough to take the lead before Barcelona finally got into the match. The Catalans could have gone in front in the 20th minute but a fantastic goalline clearance by Nuno Mendes ensured Robert Lewandowski’s header did not count.

Raphinha, who was by far the most dangerous player on Wednesday night, had his low effort saved by a stretched Gianluigi Donnarumma before eventually giving Xavi’s side a 1-0 lead. The talented winger was just at the right place to direct the ball into the back of the net after Donnarumma had palmed Yamal’s cross into his path. He gave Barca the lead in the 37th minute.

PSG struggled to play for the remainder of the first period but came back stronger after the break scoring two quick goals to overturn the scoreline.

First it was France international Dembele who fired in a thumping effort after Ronald Araujo failed to properly clear the ball. Vitinha then slotted the ball into the far corner after being found in the danger area by Fabian Ruiz’s cross. The Parisians, who had the momentum with them after turning the game around, would have increased their advantage to 3-1 but Bradley Barcola’s effort hit the bar.

Andreas Christensen scored the winning goal for Barcelona against PSG. Photo/ Eurosport.

Barca were given a lifeline by the introduction of Pedri in the 61st minute as the star midfielder who has been out due to injury assisted the goal that levelled the scores. The 21-year-old’s lofted pass found Raphinha who scored his second goal of the match in the 62nd minute.

Xavi’s side got the job done in the 77th minute when Andreas Christensen rose highest in the box to head home Ilkay Gundogan’s corner. This was the first time that Barcelona had won against PSG at the Parc des Princes since 2015 also in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. They went on to win the trophy that season.