Barca took the lead but lost people and saw PSG turn the game around. The criminal Araujo, Xavi’s frustration, the explosive performances of Kylian Mbappe and Ousama Dembele, Luis Enrique, former Barca players… created a classic Champions League night at Olympic, Barcelona.
“I told the referee that he created a bad performance,” coach Xavi said after Barca lost 1-4 (final 4-6), “He is a true disaster.” . It’s a pity that the whole season’s effort was ruined just because of the referee’s decision. I wanted 11 people to play against 11 people in the whole match, but the referee’s unnecessary red card ruined everything.”
Barca entered the quarter-finals of the 2023/24 Champions League second leg with a 3-2 lead. They were able to play again at the Olympic home stadium in front of a passionate Catalan audience, who booed and threw objects at… the home team’s bus, mistakenly thinking it was a bus carrying PSG players.
The match took place with a similar scenario a week ago, when PSG attacked and Barca waited for an opportunity. It came in the 12th minute, when Yamal Lamine beat Nuno Mendes, broke through on the right wing and assisted Raphinha to finish past Donnarumma. The final score increased to 4-2 and it looked like PSG would say goodbye to the Champions League.
The red card for Araujo turned the match scenario around.
But the turning point happened in the 29th minute. Araujo committed an obvious foul on Barcola and referee Istvan Kovacs resolutely pulled out the red card. Playing without players, Barca could not stop the stormy runs of Barcola, Dembele and Mbappe .
In the 40th minute, from Barcola’s pass, Dembele made a lightning strike to equalize the score. PSG took the lead in the 54th minute after Vitinha’s long shot, leading to Xavi’s anger outside the pitch. To vent his frustration, he kicked the Champions League sign and was disqualified. Goalkeeping coach Jose Ramon De la Fuente similarly received a red card for protesting the referee’s decisions.
Xavi’s hot reaction caused him to receive a red card.
Mbappe shined with 2 goals at the end of the match, sending PSG to the semi-finals against Dortmund.
Not long after, in the 61st minute, Joao Cancelo fouled Dembele in the penalty area and on the penalty spot, Mbappe increased the score to 3-1, and also opened the door to the semi-finals when PSG led 5-4 in the end. . However, things don’t stop there.
In the 89th minute, PSG counterattacked. Mbappe’s first shot was blocked by Ter Stegen. Marco Asensio’s rebound also failed to beat the German goalkeeper, but brought the ball back to Mbappe’s feet. This time, no one can save Barca. The lightning-fast turn and finish of the star who is expected to move to Real next summer has officially put an end to the Catalans.
“We are sad, and frustrated with the loss,” Xavi shared after his last match in the Champions League as Barca coach, “We were well organized, created many opportunities and always held the possession.” But the red card appeared and controlling the game with only 10 people was really difficult.”
As for PSG, the resounding victory over Barca brought them to the semi-finals of the 2023/24 Champions League, where they will meet Dortmund, the team that just eliminated another Spanish representative, Atletico, with a total score of 6-2 after two matches. .
