On a Tuesday of dramatic comebacks, Paris Saint Germain went from 4-2 down to 6-4 up on aggregate, eliminating Barcelona from the Uefa Champions League.
With the Camp Nou still closed for renovation, the Catalans hosted PSG at their temporary Montjuic Olympic venue. And the hosts could not have asked for a better start.
Adding to his goals from the first leg in Paris, Raphinha took just 12 minutes to make it 1-0 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate.
On the half hour mark, though, the tide would slowly begin to turn.
Ronald Araujo was shown red for a foul on the edge of the area; and before the break, Ousmane Dembele equalised, putting the visitors within a goal of levelling matters on aggregate.
In the second half, Vitinha made it 4-4 before Xavi too was sent off for a frustrated reaction pitchside.
It was at that moment that the wheels really began to fall off for Barcelona; who despite creating chances, were beaten by a Kylian Mbappe brace.
The Frenchman now has 41 goals in 42 games this season as he looks to make a success of his final campaign as a PSG player.
In the semi-finals, PSG will take on Borussia Dortmund, after the Germans came back to ensure that Atletico Madrid would be the second set of Spanish victims on quarter final Tuesday.
After a 2-1 win at home, Diego Simeone’s side just could not keep their composure at the back in the return leg.
Julian Brandt and Ian Maatsen switched up the scoreline before half time. And despite two early goals for the visitors after the break, the yellow wall would motivate their players to turn it around all over again.
Niclas Fuellkrug and Marcel Sabitzer were the stars of the second period as Dortmund won 4-2 on the night, reaching the Champions League last four for the first time since 2013.
The quarter final action is only halfway done, with Arsenal making the trip to Bayern Munich while Manchester City host Real Madrid next. Both ties are currently level with all still to play for on Wednesday.
Pictured above: Kylian Mbappe
Image source: @whoscored
