Di Maria scored twice against Barcelona to take PSG closer to UCL quarter final.


Angel Di Maria scored two stunning goals as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Barcelona 4-0 on Tuesday to take control of their Champions League last-16 tie.
In one of the most remarkable performances in the competition's history, the Ligue 1 champions completely dominated Barca at the Parc des Princes, taking the lead through Di Maria's free-kick after 18 minutes.
Julian Draxler added a second in the 40th minute before Di Maria curled home their third from the edge of the box 10 minutes after half-time.
Edinson Cavani sealed the rout with a low strike to put PSG in a formidable position ahead of the second leg at the Nou Camp on March 8.
The scoreline, which equals Barcelona's worst ever Champions League defeat, could have been even worse on an awful night for the Spaniards, who also squandered the chance to grab an away goal when Samuel Umtiti's header struck the post from point-blank range.
They will need to make Champions League history to advance as no side has progressed after conceding a four-goal first-leg deficit.
Luis Enrique made three changes from their 6-0 victory over Alaves, while Unai Emery recalled Draxler as one of two alterations from PSG's win at Bordeaux.
The January signing from Wolfsburg tormented makeshift right-back Sergi Roberto throughout but was by no means the only PSG player to sparkle on a memorable evening for the Parisian club.
Di Maria, celebrating his 29th birthday, opened the scoring to cap a ferocious start by the French side, who pressed their opponents high and routinely won possession in advanced areas.
Despite being comfortably second best, the visitors almost levelled against the run of play when Neymar slipped through Andre Gomes but goalkeeper Kevin Trapp denied the midfielder.
It was a rare moment of quality from Barca in an otherwise dreadful display and they deservedly fell two goals behind just before the break.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen had already made one big save from Draxler when the PSG winger beat his Germany team-mate at the second time of asking, smashing low into the corner from Marco Verratti's perfectly-weighted pass.
The Italian playmaker was at his imperious best in the opening 45 minutes, while young defender Presnel Kimpembe - making his Champions League debut - was barely tested by Barca's fabled attacking trio.
Lionel Messi, who coughed up possession leading to Draxler's goal, endured a difficult night and Luis Suarez was expertly marshalled by Marquinhos and Kimpembe.
The second half followed a familiar pattern and PSG made their dominance count through the superb Di Maria.
Emery's side picked their way through Barca's press and the Argentina international whipped his strike past Ter Stegen from 18 yards.
Cavani got in on the act too, marking his 30th birthday with his 34th goal of the season after Thomas Meunier waltzed through Barca's non-existent midfield.
The home crowd could scarcely contain their glee in the closing stages, cheering every PSG pass as the hosts looked to play out time.
They suffered a scare with six minutes to play, though, when Umtiti should have poached an away goal but the young Frenchman rattled the woodwork from three yards.
It summed up a hapless night for Barca, who have not exited the Champions League at the last-16 stage since Liverpool beat them in 2007.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chelsea sign Bakayoko from Monaco for £40M

Image
Tiemoue Bakayoko has joined Chelsea from Monaco and become the club's second-most expensive signing of all time. Sky Sports News HQ understands the 22-year-old has cost the Blues £40m - some £10m less than Fernando Torres in 2011. Bakayoko, an athletic central midfielder, has signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge and will join up with France international team-mate N'Golo Kante. Bakayoko said: "I have grown up watching Chelsea. Signing was the natural thing for me because it is a club I loved very much in my childhood. "I am now looking forward to evolving under this fantastic coach (Antonio Conte) and alongside so many great team-mates." Chelsea's technical director Michael Emenalo said: "Tiemoue was outstanding as Monaco emerged as one of Europe's best sides last season and we are delighted to welcome him to Chelsea. "Despite his young age he already has plenty of experience as a French title winner and having competed
Read more

Jose Gimenez's goal secured a late win for Uruguay against Egypt

Image
It’s another exciting atmosphere in Russia as Egypt take on Uruguay in a group A encounter. Uruguay dominated possession in the first 3 minutes of the opening stage of the first half. Caceres was put under pressure defensively but can’t keep the ball in play after tackle, though it shows Egypt are doing everything within their reach to limit the time Uruguay have on the ball. Egypt are starting to to enjoy the game after the early pressure from the Uruguay. Cavani look threatening to the Egypt defense with the first attempt of the game, firing a low shot from outside the box that El – Shenawy managed to keep out comfortably. Egypt have done great defensively as they’ve kept Uruguay silent and finding thir rhythm in attack. Egypt with their first attempt of the game as trezeguet forced Muslera into action for the first time. He chests the ball down to create some chance in the box but couldn’t get contact with the ball properly. Egypt are looking more dangerous on th
Read more

Ronaldo on a rare run of goals and assists for Juventus

Image
The Portuguese star is on a rare run of getting goals and assists, after pulling it off against Parma, Sassuolo and Frosinone Cristiano Ronaldo proved his importance to Juventus once again as he scored and assisted in a match for the third time in a row on Friday. The 34-year-old helped fire the Serie A leaders to a 3-0 win over Frosinone when he set Paulo Dybala up for the opening goal and then netted his side's third in the second half. Having also notched goals and assists against Parma and Sassuolo in the previous two league games, he is on a rare run of form of playing the dual role of scorer and provider for the defending champions. It is the second time in the 33-year-old's career that he has scored and set up goals in three games in a row. The last time he put such run together was in November 2014, when he was still with Real Madrid. Ronaldo's 19th goal extends his lead at the top of the Serie A goal chart, while he now has made the joint-most ass
Read more