In a thrilling Champions League quarterfinal first leg match, Barcelona secured a 3-2 victory over Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes stadium. Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández's tactical substitutions proved decisive as Pedri assisted Raphinha for the equalizer just a minute after coming on, followed by Andreas Christensen's winning goal two minutes later.
Raphinha was the standout performer for Barcelona, scoring twice before Christensen's 77th-minute header from a corner. PSG coach Luis Enrique acknowledged the challenge ahead but remained optimistic about the return leg.
The match saw a lively performance from Raphinha, contrasting with a subdued showing from PSG's Kylian Mbappé, who failed to find the net. Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha also scored for their respective teams in a pulsating encounter.
Barcelona's victory sets up an intriguing second leg in Spain next Tuesday, with PSG needing to regroup and improve their performance to advance in the competition.
In the other quarterfinal on Wednesday, Atlético Madrid secured a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund at home, adding to the drama of the Champions League knockout stages.
The rivalry between PSG and Barcelona has intensified in recent years, with Barcelona now holding the advantage after their latest victory. PSG will be looking to rectify their performance in the return leg and avoid costly mistakes that led to their defeat in the first leg.
Despite heightened security measures due to an alleged terror threat, the match proceeded without incident, with Barcelona emerging victorious in a thrilling encounter that sets the stage for an exciting second leg next week.
Both teams will be aiming to secure a spot in the Champions League semifinals, with Barcelona holding a slight advantage following their impressive performance in the first leg.
