CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Q / FINAL RESULT | PARIS ST GERMAIN 2 FC BARCELONA 2

Spanish Soccer Club FC Barcelona travelled to Paris to play the 1º leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Paris St Germain. The final result ( score ) finished in a  2 - 2 draw which still gives Barça a handy two goal away advantage for the next week return 2º leg game back at "Camp Nou" Barcelona. Paris St Germain retain their chances of going through with a "miraculous" last second goal that  brought on the equalizer & highlighted the intensity between the tow sides the whole night.

The match had its cost for Barcelona in the injury of Lionel Messi which will need to be examined further to discover the extent & Mascherano with a yellow card which will force him to sit on the bench plus on top he was injured in a clash with team-mate Alba.

The game was contested & very competitive. The first half saw PSG ""choke" early Barça in the midfield & use the counter-attack to look for the opening goal. They nearly managed it but Barça goalkeeper Victor Valdes made 2 - 3 magnificent saves to help steady Barça & dilute the PSG enthusiasm along with the help of the post.

Barcelona regained their composure & carried on with their ball control Football & also began creating their chances. 

In one of the multiple occasions Dani Alves passed to Lionel Messi who put Barcelona ahead in the 38th min. But the night would end for the Argentine when a leg injury forced him to stay in the dressing rooms for the second half. 

The next 45 mins were to be just as intense with PSG looking to draw & Barcelona attempting to finish off the French with another goal. End to end stuff that saw heated exchanges between players of both sides as the nervous grew with the passing of the minutes. Then in the 80th min PSG Captain & defender Thiago headed, hit the post & Ibrahimovic being loose ( or offside for some ) picked the bouncing ball to tap into the back of the Barça net. The much looked for draw had arrived, but there was more still to come.

Barça lifted & in the 89th min PSG goalie Sirigu fouled Alexis in the penalty area. Xavi Hernandez took the penalty & put Barça ahead 1 - 2. But in the very last moment Ibrahimovic headed the ball down to Matuidi who poked an apparent innocent ball which Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes fumbled & allowed to sneak through for the French equalizer. Like Lazurus in the Jesus of Nazareth tale, the French team were brought back from the dead. Perhaps the absence of Messi left Barça without the final knock-out weapon. Whatever way you take it, PSG were rewarded for their perseverance which will only add more excitement for the return game at Barcelona.

Special mention to the outstanding performance from PSG defender Thiago which was World Class, along with Barcelona goalie Victor Valdes which only made one mistake but was vital for his team earlier, plus PSG Ibrahimovic which was always present & a clear reference upfront for his team.  

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