MX23RW : Monday, November 25 07:51:27| >> :120:32392:32392:
[monks data]
Barcelona logo
Champions League | Quarter-Finals
Apr 21, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
PSG logo

2-0

Neymar (14', 34')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Live Commentary: Barcelona 2-0 Paris Saint-Germain (Barca win 5-1 on aggregate) - as it happened

Relive Barcelona's 2-0 victory over PSG as the Spanish giants book their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League courtesy of a 5-1 aggregate win.
2

Barcelona sealed their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League with a 2-0 victory in the second leg of their quarter-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain at the Camp Nou this evening.

The hosts opened the scoring on the night when Andres Iniesta burst forward from midfield before sliding a pass through to Neymar, who rounded the keeper and slotted the ball into the empty net.

The Brazilian doubled his personal tally with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first half, nodding home when unmarked inside the box to seal a 5-1 aggregate victory.

Find out how all of the action unfolded courtesy of Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage below.


Sort:
Newest
Oldest
Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final clash between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. The odds are very much stacked in the home side's favour at the Camp Nou this evening following events last week in the French capital, but there is still a glimmer of hope for the visitors. We have a bumper 90-minute build-up for you tonight, so let's get started with a look at the hosts...

It is fair to say that Barcelona already have one foot in the semi-finals following their performance in Paris last week, but all of the talk from the home camp this week has been centred around not getting complacent. The job is certainly close to being done, but PSG can be a very dangerous side and Barcelona still have a little bit of work to do to push themselves over the line here. It would, of course, be a monumental shock if they were to be knocked out tonight, but they still need to be wary.

Luis Enrique will be fully aware of that fact, and as a club Barcelona will know not to take PSG lightly at all. They have been run close by the French outfit on a number of occasions in recent seasons, squeezing past them in the knockout rounds two years ago and losing in the group stages of this season's competition. Those games should help to keep Barca focused on completing the job tonight.

Much of the heavy lifting was done in Paris last week, though, with Luis Suarez's fine second-half brace adding to Neymar's earlier effort to give Barca a daunting three away goals. PSG did pull one back late on, but as long as Barca don't concede more than twice tonight, they will be celebrating a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League yet again come the final whistle.

Barca have only lost once this season by a margin that would extend this game beyond 90 minutes tonight, losing 3-1 at the hands of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. The last time they lost be a margin that would see them eliminated here at the Camp Nou was in the semi-finals of this competition in 2013 when Bayern Munich ran out 3-0 winners to complete a 7-0 demolition job on aggregate. Both of Barcelona's home defeats this season have been by a solitary goal to nil.

They come into this match in imperious form, however, with the prospect of a treble still a very real possibility. They have already booked their place in the Copa del Rey final, where they will face Athletic Bilbao in the Camp Nou, while they lead the way in La Liga with just six games of the season remaining. With fellow Champions League favourites Real Madrid and Bayern Munich facing a task to get through to the semi-finals, Europe looks like opening up for them this season too.

The treble really would be a magnificent feat for the club, but there is still a lot of work for them to do both domestically and in Europe. They have not won this competition since 2011 and are expected to be pushed all the way by Real Madrid in La Liga, with just two points currently separating the sides. They are favourites to pick up all three trophies, however, which would certainly make up for a disappointing campaign last time around.

They come into tonight's match unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions, 11 of which they have won since a shock home defeat to Malaga in February. Indeed, their win percentage has been staggering throughout the campaign, with 22 of their last 24 games ending in victory and 41 of their 49 over the entire season. They seem to have a very well-balanced side, boasting comfortably the best defence in La Liga in addition to that front three of Messi, Suarez and Neymar.

After wins in 2006, 2009 and 2011, Barcelona's dominance in Europe was expected to continue over the last few years but, despite being perennial members of the last four, they have not picked up the famous trophy since their triumph over Manchester United four years ago. Last season they failed to reach the semi-finals having been beaten at this stage by Atletico Madrid, but they must be regarded as favourites this time around, particularly with the precarious situations the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern find themselves in.

Barca haven't quite been perfect in this season's competition, but they have been close. Defeat to today's opponents in the group stages in the only blemish on their record, with eight wins from their nine matches. Unsurprisingly, they finished top of Group F to earn a last-16 clash with Manchester City, and how they only won that tie 3-1 on aggregate is anybody's guess. Joe Hart saved a late penalty in the first leg and was in inspired form in the second, but Barca still eased through to the last eight yet again.

They have now won seven Champions League matches in a row following last week's triumph, while at home they are unbeaten in nine, since that defeat at the hands of Bayern. Damaging though that was, it is the only time Barca have been beaten at the Camp Nou in the Champions League in their last 32 outings, a run that stretches back to 2009, but Rubin Kazan ran out shock winners in the group stages.

Their home form in all competitions in similarly impressive, with five wins on the bounce in front of their own fans going into this match. They have only been beaten twice at the Camp Nou and are yet to draw a home game this season, winning 22 of their 24 outings on their own turf. They have scored 79 goals in the process, and their defensive record isn't too shabby either, so PSG really do have an uphill struggle on their hands here.

Their most recent outing saw them run out 2-0 winners over Champions League-chasing Valencia at the Camp Nou on Saturday, although it wasn't all straightforward for Barca. Valencia made it tough for them at times, and only goals at either end of the match from Suarez and Messi respectively saw the hosts claim another three points. It was Messi's 400th for the club incidentally, racking up yet another landmark in his astonishing career.

Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez celebrates his goal during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona v Valencia CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 18, 2015© Getty Images


Should they get over the line as expected tonight, Barcelona will be appearing in the semi-finals of the Champions League for the seventh time in the last eight seasons, with last term the anomaly in that record. It hasn't always been a smooth campaign for the club, with manager Luis Enrique facing questions over his job earlier in the season amid rumours of a bust-up with Messi, but they seem to be hitting form at the perfect time on all fronts in their search for a treble.

It will be interesting to see what sort of approach Barca take this evening, with the onus very much on the visitors to attack. It is not in Barca's make-up to sit back, however, and with PSG needing three goals at least, we could see the hosts' dangerous attackers afforded quite a bit of space. Barca are unlikely to go too gung-ho, but at the same time a goal or two before half time were kill off PSG's challenge once and for all.

TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides, and the headline news for both sides surrounds players returning from suspension. For the hosts, Dani Alves is back available and slots straight in on the right side of defence in the only change from the first leg, while Iniesta returns having missed the win over Valencia with a back injury. There are four changes from that team overall, with Alba, Rakitic and Ter Stegen also coming in. As for PSG, they welcome Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti back into the fold, while David Luiz starts. Full team news for both sides coming right up...

BARCELONA STARTING XI: Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi

BARCELONA SUBS: Bravo, Bartra, Adriano, Sergi Roberto, Xavi, Rafinha, Pedro

PSG STARTING XI: Sirigu; Van der Wiel, Marquinhos, Luiz, Maxwell; Matuidi, Verratti, Cabaye; Cavani, Ibrahimovic, Pastore

PSG SUBS: Douchez, Camara, Lucas, Bahebeck, Digne, Lavezzi, Rabiot

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, there are no surprises as far as the hosts are concerned, with Luis Enrique naming a full-strength side to ensure that his team get the job done tonight. Ter Stegen is one of the changes from the weekend between the sticks, replacing Bravo to maintain his habit of appearing in the cup games this season, while Alves makes his return to Champions League football having sat out last week through suspension. There has been speculation linking him with a move to PSG at the end of the season, but tonight he will be fully focused on knocking his potential future employers out of Europe.

Alves in the only change from the first leg victory, but there have been a few switches in the back four from Saturday's win over Valencia. Mascherano, who played in midfield at the weekend, drops back into defence alongside Pique, while Alba also returns at left-back having been replaced by Adriano against Valencia. It is Enrique's first-choice back four, and they have a formidable record this season, conceding just 19 goals in 32 league matches so far.

The hosts are boosting by the return in midfield of Iniesta, who was forced off early in the first leg having picked up a back injury. He sat out against Valencia at the weekend but is back in tonight, replacing his fellow stalwart Xavi in the starting XI. Busquets retains his place, while Ivan Rakitic is also drafted back in having sat out at the weekend but played in the first leg last Wednesday.

The headlines are usually grabbed by the front three, however, and it may well be one of the most star-studded in football history. Lionel Messi is the jewel in the crown, and his injury-time strike against Valencia at the weekend took him to 46 for the season and 400 for Barcelona overall. He truly is a spectacular talent and he will be licking his lips at the thought of PSG needing to attack Barca this evening.

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match against Athletic Club Bilbao on February 8, 2015© Getty Images


Even is PSG are able to stop Messi, they must then cope with Neymar and Suarez, who have proved to be equally dangerous in recent weeks. Suarez was the difference a week ago with his brilliant brace, and his first-minute opener against Valencia made it 12 in his last 12 games for the club. Neymar and Messi have struck up a particularly potent partnership, with the Argentine laying on no fewer than 12 of Neymar's 28 goals this season. Between that deadly front three, they have scored 93 goals this term.

Charged with keeping such an array of attacking talent at bay is a PSG defence that didn't exactly cover themselves in glory last week in the French capital. The defending could have been better for all three of Barca's goals, with Luiz particularly culpable for Suarez's brace. In fairness to Luiz, he was not fully fit, but is forced to play from the start today due to an injury to Thiago Silva, who was taken off early in the first leg.

That is the only change to the back four from the first leg, but from the weekend Van der Wiel and Maxwell both return, the latter of whom will face his former club. There is a timely return in midfield for Verratti, who can be so crucial in breaking up play and nipping at the heels of dangerous attackers, although defensive play is not the visitors' priority today. More important may be the bursting runs forward from Matuidi or the guile of Cabaye in attack.

Further forward, the visitors start with Pastore and Cavani once again, both of whom got on the scoresheet at the weekend. Pastore netted twice and Cavani once in a 3-1 victory over Nice, so they will be hoping to carry that form over into today's came. Lavezzi drops to the bench to accommodate a certain returning Swede, while that move will also see Cavani switch to a wider position.

The Swede I speak of is, of course, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was a huge miss for PSG in the first leg due to suspension for his red card against Chelsea in the last 16. The striker is in superb form going into this game, with 13 goals in his last seven games for club and country. If the visitors are to pull off an unlikely comeback this evening then he is likely to be key to achieving it, and he may well have a point to prove against his former club. Laurent Blanc will certainly be hoping so.

Paris Saint-Germain's Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Nantes on December 6, 2014© Getty Images


Masterminding a comeback tonight would surely rank among Ibrahimovic's greatest achievements, however, as the odds are so heavily stacked against his side. They are in no doubt at the challenge that faces them this evening, but that late Mathieu own goal in the first leg has handed them that tiny slither of hope that they can pull off something remarkable tonight.

They were also the underdogs in the last round as they went up against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge having only managed a draw in the home first leg, but they beat the Premier League leaders on away goals courtesy of a late Thiago Silva header in extra time. David Luiz had earlier forced the additional 30 minutes with a thunderous header, and PSG will need to channel some of the spirit and desire that they showed in West London if they are to stand any chance tonight.

There are causes for optimism, however. Chief among them will be the fact that PSG have already beaten Barcelona this season, albeit at the Parc des Princes. As mentioned earlier, the Ligue 1 champions have put up a really good fight against Barcelona whenever the two sides have met in recent years (and this will be the sixth meeting since 2013), so don't expect Laurent Blanc's side to go down with a whimper tonight.

At the same time, Blanc will be warning his side about the dangers of going too gung-ho from the off tonight. If you afford that Barcelona front three time and space then they will punish you more often than not, and if the visitors aren't careful then they could be embarrassed a little tonight. They still have so much to fight for domestically, so it is a fine balance for Blanc to strike here.

Top of the list of their domestic goals for the remainder of the season is the league. They currently sit second in Ligue 1, but the title is very much in their hands. They are level on points with leaders Lyon but have a game in hand which would send them three clear if they can take advantage. It is still a tight race at the top, though, and there are likely to be a few more twists and turns along the way, so a drubbing tonight could have a knock-on effect in that regard too.

Right now, PSG are still in with a chance of claiming the quintuple this season, having already wrapped up the Super Cup and the Coupe de la Ligue. They have booked their place in the Coupe de France final at the end of May and have the league crown in their hands once again. Domestically, then, they look like sweeping up, but it is in Europe that they are desperate to see improvement. A shock comeback tonight would certainly show that, but in all likelihood they are going to have to wait until next season for a renewed charge of the biggest stage.

That will be the main priority for the club, much like Manchester City are desperate to make strides in the Champions League. The rich new owners have already conquered France for PSG, but they repeatedly fall just short against the very best in Europe, which is another step up they need to make before they can truly regard themselves alongside the likes of Barca, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

There have even been whispers regarding Laurent Blanc's place as PSG manager, despite the club being on course for four domestic trophies this season. It is European success that they crave above anything else, and the first leg proved that they are still some way from matching the elite. An impressive showing tonight could well persuade those in charge to give Blanc another season, but a heavy defeat may swing things in the opposite direction.

They are in good form domestically, however, winning their last five games on the bounce in league and cup. They have only lost two of their last 22 matches in all competitions, winning 15 in that time. They have also been scoring goals, netting three or more goals in five of their last six outings, which bodes well for the task at hand tonight. However, they only exception in that run was the 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in the first leg.

Their scoring form has been good on the road too, with 10 goals in their last three away games, all of which they have won. Indeed, they have only lost one of their last 10 away matches in all competitions, although they have already lost here at the Camp Nou this season. The front three of Messi, Suarez and Neymar all scored to cancel out Ibrahimovic's opener and hand Barcelona a 3-1 triumph in the group stages.

That defeat at the Camp Nou was the first in a run of four consecutive matches without a win in this competition for PSG. They did win four on the bounce during the group stages, but sandwiched between their two losses at the hands of Barcelona were two draws to Chelsea which saw them through on away goals, leaving them on the verge of going on a five-match winless streak.

Their away record in this competition since the turn of the century isn't too impressive either. Seven wins and three defeats in their last 13 is not too shabby, but just one of those victories have come in their last five away outings and only two in their last seven. Overall, in their last 23 Champions League matches away from home, PSG have won seven, drawn seven and lost nine.

Their record at home was in stark contrast to that before last week, when Barca inflicted a first Champions League defeat on PSG at the Parc des Princes for 34 games. That leaves Blanc's side with a near-impossible task if they are to reach a first semi-final since 1995, having also been eliminated in the quarter-finals in the last two campaigns. They did, however, knock Barcelona out in the quarters on the way to that 1994-95 semi-final appearance.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff here, which means that it is time for a prediction! PSG have no option but to throw caution to the wind in this match and, if they are still in with a chance going into the final 30 minutes, then anything could happen. However, Barcelona are simply too good at both ends of the field to allow that to happen, and I can't see anything other than a comfortable aggregate victory for Barca. I'm going for 2-0 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate.

Barcelona have only ever lost one home game to French opposition in the Champions League, winning six and drawing two of their nine meetings. Overall against French sides their record is a little worse, however, with 11 wins, five draws and four defeat. In comparison, PSG have won 10, drawn six and lost seven matches against Spanish opposition, including four wins, two draws and four defeats in Spain.

Barcelona have won the away first leg 36 times in European competition before, and they have only failed to progress twice. The most recent of those came all the way back in 1984-85, while neither came in the premier European competition. Barca have a 100% record of going through having won the opening away leg in either the European Cup or the Champions League - as if PSG's task wasn't daunting enough.

These two have met eight times in Europe overall, with this being the sixth meeting in the space of two seasons. PSG have only won two of the previous eight and, barring a remarkable comeback tonight, would have been knocked out by the Catalan giants twice in the space of three seasons after this one. As mentioned earlier, though, they did win a two-legged tie in the quarter-finals of the 1994-95 tournament, overcoming Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate.

There is one other match taking place in the Champions League tonight, with Bayern Munich looking to recover from a 3-1 deficit of their own following their shock defeat to Porto in the first leg last week.

KICKOFF: Barcelona get us underway in front of a packed Camp Nou as they look to finish the job they started last week. Will they do it or will PSG make things interesting?

PSG win an early free kick, and it is lucky that they do as Messi had threaded a pass through to Neymar. Busquets caught Verratti, though, and the ref is right to blow up for a foul.

YELLOW CARD! A very early yellow card is shown to Luiz, who let the ball run away from him before lunging in on Rakitic. No complaints there, despite only three minutes of this match having been played.

PSG have started with a slightly different shape than we were expecting, with Pastore operating in a deeper role and Cavani up front alongside Ibrahimovic in a central position.

Barcelona have started this match with a really good tempo, both on and off the ball. They are looking to get forward quickly when PSG may be a little out of position and, when they lose possession, they are like a pack of hungry hounds in winning it back.

Now Barcelona look to settle in the match, dominating the ball as they so often do and probing for a way through PSG. The visitors can't really afford to concede early tonight, so they will need to spend long spells defending despite their need for goals at the other end too.

Pastore has been heavily involved in his deeper role so far, finding the odd pocket of space inside the Barcelona half. Nothing has come of it yet, but he is having an influence.

Cabaye loses the ball in midfield and Neymar is immediately on the front foot, looking to link up with Messi. The latter sees a shot blocked, but PSG can't afford to give the hosts any encouragement here.

GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 PSG (Neymar)

Barcelona extend their aggregate lead with a fine opener here, and again it is Neymar who breaks the deadlock. Iniesta picks the ball up in midfield and glides past a number of white shirts before sliding his pass in to Neymar. Luiz is taken out of the game and Neymar takes it past the keeper before knocking it into the empty net. Splendid goal.

PSG's objective hasn't really changed much tonight. They still need to score three goals, although that would now only be enough for extra time here at the Camp Nou. They have just seen again how deadly Barcelona's key players can be, though.

PSG have the ball in the back of the net, but the linesman's flag is rightly up. It was nice football from the visitors, ending with Matuidi flicking the ball through for Ibrahimovic to finish, but the Swede was a couple of yards beyond the last defender.

PSG are beginning to threaten a little here. They probe in and around the box before being forced back out, only for Verratti to lift a good ball back in towards Matuidi. The midfielder tries to take a touch inside the box, but Alba is across to make the challenge. Pastore has a shooting chance seconds later, but his effort is blocked by Pique, whose subsequent botched clearance spins straight to Ter Stegen.

Barca have looked a tad shaky in defence at times today, but they look so dangerous in the final third. Iniesta really looks to be in the mood, while Messi, Neymar and Suarez are posing a constant threat. It would be a surprise if Barca were done scoring tonight.

SHOT! Messi looks to get his name on the scoresheet as Alves makes his way down the right before clipping the ball across to Suarez. The Uruguayan lays it off for Messi, but it is at an awkward height for the Argentine, who blazes his volley over.

SAVES! Almost a spectacular second for Barca as Alves lets fly with a swerving effort from range. It is set for the top corner, but Sirigu makes a flying save. He can only parry it to Neymar, but the Brazilian's header is again kept out by the Italian keeper.

Barca have control of this tie at the moment. PSG are yet to really trouble Ter Stegen, and the hosts look capable of scoring again every time they come forward. One more Barcelona goal would end this tie as a contest once and for all.

UPDATE: Bayern Munich have made short work of overturning their deficit. They are already 3-0 up on the night against Porto, making it 4-3 on aggregate. What a response from Pep Guardiola's men.

Iniesta is running the show in this one so far. Verratti is trying his best to stem the tide in midfield and he has put in a couple of really good challenges, but Iniesta just looks to be a class apart at the moment.

Still Barca knock the ball about, wearing down PSG and dominating possession. It is hard for PSG to get any sort of attacking momentum here, and the hosts are doing exactly what they needed at the moment.

GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 PSG (Neymar)

Game over. Barcelona and Neymar get their second of the night to make it 5-1 on aggregate, and it is more poor defending from PSG. Alves cuts back onto his left foot before crossing a good ball into the box, but the space Neymar has in the middle of the area is criminal. He nods it home for his 30th of the season, but that was far too easy for him.

Barcelona could get almost anything tonight. They look so dangerous when coming forward, and it could depend on whether they look to punish PSG or have a bit of mercy. Incidentally, that Barca front three of Messi, Suarez and Neymar now have 95 goals between them this season.

The visitors have been outplayed in this match so far, but they haven't exactly helped themselves. They could have defended a lot better, while they have given the ball away far too cheaply on numerous occasions - something you simply can't afford to do against Barcelona.

CHANCE! Half a chance for Pique to make it three as he races to the near post to win a header from a corner. Luiz is in close attendance, however, and does enough to prevent the Barca defender from getting his effort on target.

Speculative effort from Alves here as he sees Sirigu off his line and goes for goal from a good 45 yards. He is no Charlie Adam, though, and fires his effort well off target.

UPDATE: Bayern are really punishing Porto over in Munich. They have scored five goals in the opening 40 minutes at the Allianz Arena and now lead 6-3 on aggregate. It seems they can afford to give teams head starts after all!

Back in Barcelona, the hosts flood forward in numbers and Alves finds acres of space to maraud forward down the right. His end product is a little disappointing, however, as his low cross is cut out and put behind for a corner.

There will be only one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

HALF TIME: Barcelona 2-0 PSG (Barcelona lead 5-1 on aggregate)

The first half comes to an end and it is Barcelona who have strengthened their position in the tie with a dominant opening 45 minutes. They have one foot well and truly in the semi-finals of the Champions League now, with PSG needing four goals without reply to progress now.

It was Neymar who opened the scoring for the home side on the night, but it was Iniesta who made it with a magnificent run from midfield. He glided past a number of PSG players in midfield before sliding a perfectly-weighted ball through to Neymar, who rounded the keeper before knocking the ball into the empty net. It was a superb goal.

The same player got the second goal, but this was a lot more straightforward for the hosts. Alves lifted the ball into the box to find an unmarked Neymar in the centre of the area to nod home. Luiz was nowhere to be seen, oblivious to the threat of Neymar behind him, and the Barca attacker planted a simple header home for his 30th of the season.

Alves has come close with a long-range drive too, while Pique put a header wide of the near post under heavy pressure from Luiz. Aside from the goals, clear chances have been few and far between, but Barcelona have been in complete control and look capable of scoring every time they come forward.

In contrast, PSG have barely threatened at all down the other end, with Pastore having given the ball away far too often and Ibrahimovic and Cavani unable to have any influence on the game. PSG need four goals to go through now but, in truth, they haven't looked like getting one so far tonight. They have been completely outclassed so far and may be well advised to go into damage limitation mode now.

Depending on how Barcelona approach the second half, things could get embarrassing for PSG here. The hosts have been a joy to watch at times and you get the sense that they could really put PSG to the sword if they wanted to tonight. Messi, for one, is yet to really get into the game, yet the hosts have still enjoyed complete domination.

KICKOFF: PSG get us back underway for the second half as they look to pull off the impossible in the next 45 minutes. Barca have made a change at the break, with Xavi replacing Iniesta at half time.

Better start to the second half from the visitors as the ball is lifted in towards Ibrahimovic, before being flicked away just in front of the Swede. It comes to Matuidi at the back post and he hoists it back in, but Ter Stegen collects underneath his own crossbar.

SAVE! Barcelona win the ball back deep inside their own half and immediately break forward on the counter, with Suarez and Neymar leading the charge. The ball eventually falls to Rakitic, but his first-time effort is tame and easy for Sirigu.

SHOT! A rare shooting opportunity for PSG as things open up for Cabaye a long way from goal. He has little ahead of him so chooses to go for goal, but it is always moving away from the target and ends up well wide.

SHOT! Messi has been quiet tonight, but he comes to life here, exchanges passes with Suarez before doing the same with Neymar after the ball had broken to the Brazilian. Messi has a crowd of players around him but tries a cheeky chip which floats easily into the hands of Sirigu.

Still Barcelona continue to dominate possession, with PSG unable to keep hold of it on the rare occasion they do have it. Things could be about to get worse for the visitors too as Messi is beginning to have a growing influence on the game.

BARCELONA SUB: The hosts make a second change on the night as Busquets is replaced by Sergi Roberto.

Decent spell of possession for PSG as they finally string a few passes together on their way forward. That is their best spell of football yet tonight, which is a big reason why they have been so comfortably second best here.

CHANCE! Huge chance for PSG to pull one back on the night! Mascherano's pass out of defence is poor and Pique's subsequent clearance is sliced straight to Ibrahimovic. He passes it inside to Verratti, who has men in support and time to pick his spot. He opts for the latter from the edge of the box, but drags his effort hopelessly wide when he had to at least hit the target.

Barca have taken their foot off the pedal in this second half, while PSG have also improved a little themselves. It isn't one-way traffic now as it was in the opening 45 minutes, but Barcelona are still in control.

Messi comes to life in midfield, running straight at the defence before sliding a pass through for Suarez. The Uruguayan has just strayed offside, however, and a promising move breaks down.

This referee is letting a lot of things go at the moment, which is resulting in a rather scrappy period of play from both sides.

PSG SUB: The visitors make their first change of the evening as Lucas Moura comes on for Cabaye.

All aboard the showboat! Neymar pulls the tricks out of the bag, teasing Verratti into a hacking challenge that the PSG man is fortunate to avoid a yellow card for.

Barcelona remain in complete control here now, with PSG eager to avoid any further goals and the hosts content with what they have so far. They don't look like they will bust a gut to add to their advantage here.

He has taken some stick over this tie, but this is really good defending from Luiz. Alves makes yet another run down that right flank and sends a teasing cross in towards Suarez, who would have a simple finish but for Luiz's stretching clearance.

SAVE! Really good chance for the visitors to get one back. Lucas starts the move off with a driving run from midfield before combining with Cavani to slip the ball through for Ibrahimovic. He has Pastore tearing through unmarked on his left but instead goes for goal himself, drawing a save from the keeper with a stinging drive from the edge of the box. He probably should have passed there!

BARCELONA SUB: Suarez's evening is over as he makes way to be replaced by Pedro for the final 15 minutes. That is Barca's final change of the night.

Messi has shown glimpses of stepping up through the gears in this second half, but he hasn't had to be anywhere near his best this evening. The damage was done in the first half, and the Argentine has almost had the night off tonight. It has been a very subdued performance by his standards.

CHANCE! Decent chance for the visitors as Ibrahimovic puts a cross towards the back post that is just about kept alive by Lucas. He flicks the ball inside for Cavani, and his pull-back prompts a scramble that eventually ends in him slicing into the side-netting from a tight angle.

PSG SUBS: Double change for the visitors as Adrien Rabiot and Ezequiel Lavezzi replace Matuidi and Cavani.

Good play from Lucas as he ghosts past Alves far too easily on the left flank before seeing his low cross cleared away by Mascherano. Lucas has looked bright since coming on.

PSG have been a lot better in this second half, it must be said. That may have something to do with Barca taking their foot off the pedal, but this one looked in danger of becoming embarrassing at half time and the visitors have done a good job in limiting the damage.

CHANCE! Good shooting chance for the visitors as they come forward well. The ball is eventually worked across to Lucas on the left, but he leans back with his finish and blazes it well over.

He may have been at fault for the second goal tonight, but Luiz has had a really good second half in defence. He has got the better of Messi time after time and has made a number of crucial interceptions.

CHANCE! Another decent chance for the visitors late on as a long ball forward is brought down by Lavezzi and played back for Ibrahimovic. He returns the favour by giving it back to Lavezzi, but Ter Stegen holds his effort at the near post.

There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this match.

CLOSE! A Messi goal would cap this off for Barca and he almost gets it here as the ball is knocked down to him, but he drills it a yard or so wide from 20 yards.

FULL TIME: Barcelona 2-0 PSG (Barca win 5-1 on aggregate)

BARCELONA PROGRESS THROUGH TO THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!

The referee brings an end to the match but, in truth, this one has been over as a contest for some time. Barcelona run out 2-0 winners on the night and 5-1 victors on aggregate, with Neymar grabbing both goals to complete the job tonight. They book their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League, where they will be joined by Bayern Munich and two others.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Champions League quarter-final second leg as Barcelona book their place in the last four courtesy of a 5-1 aggregate victory over PSG. Stay tuned for our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings too. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!

ID:218474: cacheID:218474:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:57511:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Luis Enrique Martinez faces the media during his official presentation as the new coach of FC Barcelona at Camp Nou on May 21, 2014
Read Next:
Enrique confirms Iniesta, Mathieu fitness
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool440012
2Sporting Lisbon431010
3Brest431010
4Inter Milan431010
5Monaco431010
6Barcelona43019
7Dortmund43019
8Aston Villa43019
9Atalanta42208
10Juventus42117
11Lille42117
12Man City42117
13Arsenal42117
14B. Leverkusen42117
15Celtic42117
16Dinamo Zagreb42117
17AC Milan42026
18Bayern42026
19Benfica42026
20Feyenoord42026
21Real Madrid42026
22Brugge42026
23Atletico42026
24PSV41215
25Sparta Prague41124
26Stuttgart41124
27PSG41124
28Shakhtar41124
29Girona41033
30Salzburg41033
31Bologna40131
32RB Leipzig40040
33Sturm Graz40040
34Young Boys40040
35Red Star40040
36Slovan Bratislava40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!