UEFA Champions League: Raphinha Scored Twice As FC Barcelona Won 3-2 Against PSG

In the much-awaited quarterfinal encounter of the UEFA Champions League, FC Barcelona visited Parc des Princes to face Paris Saint-Germain for the first leg. These two teams have a history of great matches, and the latest one was no exception as well. The atmosphere inside the stadium was phenomenal, as the stadium was packed with Barcelona and PSG fans.

The last time these two teams faced each other, PSG won the tie 5-2 over the two legs, with Kylian Mbappe scoring four of them, and the Argentine legend Lionel Messi was still captaining the Catalan side. He scored both goals for Barcelona in that tie but couldn't save them from the embarrassment. FC Barcelona had a point to prove against the French club, and they did just that.

???? ????????????????! An insider's look at our fabulous night in Paris! pic.twitter.com/MbBHmUQAPk — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 11, 2024

The match ended 3-2 in favor of Barcelona, who came from behind to shock the home side. Raphinha was magical and was showcasing his Brazilian flair all over the pitch, as he scored two crucial goals and was involved in almost all the good chances Barcelona created throughout the time he was on the pitch. Xavi will be one happy manager after seeing the character his team showed and will be more than optimistic about taking FC Barcelona to the semi-finals.

After an average first-half performance, Paris Saint-Germain was electric at the beginning of the second half after Luis Enrique introduced Barcola and took out Marco Asensio. They scored two quick goals through Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha to cancel the advantage Barcelona had after Raphinha's goal in the first half. PSG's physical prowess was on full display, as they were pressing the Catalan side relentlessly. It seemed they would run riot as they were exposing Barcelona defensively time and time again. Barcola came close to making it 3-1 on the night when he hit the post.

Xavi's clever substitutions changed the game completely. Lamine Yamal and Sergi Roberto were taken off in favor of Joao Felix and the returning Pedri. Pedri made an instant impact as he found Raphinha with a beautiful ball over the top, which was clinically finished by the Brazilian to make it 2-2 on the night. From then on, both Barcelona and PSG had their chances, but it was Barcelona who had the final say when the corner played in by Gundogan met with the head of Christenson to make it 3-2 and complete the comeback. 

The UEFA Champions League is the biggest club competition in football, and these two teams totally justified the quality this competition represents. Barcelona will look to book their place in the semi-finals for the first time since 2019, but PSG won't make it that easy for them as they are in elite form and are having a wonderful season so far. 

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Luis Enrique will be fuming because of the way his team threw away the lead and failed to find their best-attacking weapon in Kylian Mbappe. The game was decided by very fine margins because Dembele hit the post and Christenson scored. There were just three minutes between them. FC Barcelona has some worries of their own for the second leg because their match winner, Christensen, will miss the next match due to the accumulation of yellow cards. 

The second leg promises the same action as the first one, and both the European Giants will be looking to get the better of each other. FC Barcelona only have the Champions League as the most realistic shot at winning the title this season, and PSG is desperately chasing the dream of winning their very first UEFA Champions League title.