Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, making the French side qualify to the quarter finals with a 5-2 aggregate score.
Barcelona was already 4-1 down after the first leg and needed a miraculous comeback to qualify but it was not their night as a draw ensured the French team’s qualification with a goal a piece from Mbappé and Messi.
UEFA Champions League Results: PSG destroy Barcelona 4-1, Mbappe scores a hat trick
The contest had a bright start from the offing as both teams went at each other in search of the quick start needed.
The Blaugrana side had two chances within no time in the first 20 minutes as Mingueza headed wide from a corner while Navas got down to a low shot from Dembélé.
Navas was called into action yet again as he made a blistering save by sticking up his hand and palming Dest’s shot onto the crossbar to deny the away side a lead.
Messi had first chance of the night to get onto the scoresheet but he could not reach the end of the square ball from Dembélé to put it home.
Paris Saint Germain had the pressure finally released as they received a penalty after Lenglet seemed to have got some contact on Icardi, who went down.
VAR checked and the referee awarded the spot kick, which was dispatched with power into the top left corner by Mbappé to make it 1-0 to the hosts and leave Barcelona with a mount to climb.
Dembéle missed yet another opportunity as he scuffed a close-range effort straight to Navas, to frustrate the away side.
Messi cut a frustrated figure with that miss and decided to up the ante and he did so with a sumptuous moment of individual brilliance as he thumped an incredible effort into the top left corner from around 30 yards out to make it 1-1.
Barcelona got another chance when referee pointed to the spot after a foul by Kurzawa on Griezmann, but Messi could not make it count as his shot was saved by the leg of Navas to finish the half.
In the second half, Barcelona had it all to do but could not produce the magic of the Old days as the French side were gritty and determined to close out all gaps possible. They defended with a certain sense of passion and encouragement.
Navas made another fine save in the 70th minute to keep out the header of Busquets. Dembélé had another chance to score but lacked the clinical finish as chances were few and far between.
It was too big a mountain to climb for the way side as the game fizzled out towards the end.
The final whistle blew to mark the exit of Lionel Messi and Co from the Champions League as Paris Saint-Germain held on to qualify 5-2 on aggregate.
With the entire summer being panned out in stopping Messi from leaving, this loss has certainly signaled the fact that Messi may not be seen next time around in a Barcelona shirt during this tournament, as he walked off a frustrated figure.
Paris Saint-Germain are looking an in form side and with a return of their injured players for the next round, they will be a team to beat.
