In Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final clash, Andreas Christensen sealed a 3-2 victory for Barcelona against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes.
Barcelona’s Raphinha notched his second goal of the night to level the score before Christensen’s decisive header from a corner in the 77th minute.
Despite PSG’s rapid resurgence in the second half with goals from Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha, Barcelona’s stunning comeback handed them the lead in the tie.
Christensen’s goal, scored on his 28th birthday shortly after he came on as a substitute, ended PSG’s impressive 27-game unbeaten run and provides Barcelona with a lead to defend at home in the return leg next Tuesday.
The second leg will take place at Montjuic, Barcelona’s temporary home, with heightened security measures in light of threats from the Islamic State group.
PSG, considered favorites with stars like Kylian Mbappe and Dembele, were dealt a blow as they failed to capitalize on their home advantage.
Barcelona’s growing confidence throughout the game, coupled with PSG’s selection decisions, including the surprise omission of Warren Zaire-Emery, shaped the narrative of the match.
Despite the significance of the occasion for PSG, marked by a lap of honor from former star Ronaldinho and a spectacular Star Wars display by home fans, they struggled to match Barcelona’s intensity.
Notable moments included Donnarumma’s goalkeeping error leading to Raphinha’s opener and Dembele’s equalizer, showcasing Barcelona’s resilience in the face of adversity.
In a thrilling encounter that saw both sides exchange blows, Christensen’s decisive header secured a crucial victory for Barcelona, setting the stage for an exciting second leg.
