UEFA Champions League: Barcelona edge past PSG in thriller, Atletico down Dortmund
Barcelona came back to defeat PSG in a thriller while Atletico Madrid were forced to work hard by Borussia Dortmund to get the win in their first leg clash of the UEFA Champions League on April 10, Wednesday.
A brace from Raphinha and a goal from Andreas Christensen helped Barca take the crucial lead in the quarterfinal tie, which seemed like heading in Paris’ favour after the start of the second half. The game kicked off with Barcelona asserting their dominance early on, culminating in a spectacular goal by Brazilian forward Raphinha in the 37th minute.
PSG, however, refused to be subdued. They came roaring back in the second half with a vengeance. Ousmane Dembele, the former Barcelona winger, unleashed a breathtaking shot into the top corner in the 48th minute, leveling the scores. The momentum seemed to have shifted in favor of the home side when Vitinha, just two minutes later, found the net, putting PSG ahead with a well-placed finish.
But Barcelona was not done. Raphinha, proving to be the night’s hero, volleyed in his second goal of the match in the 62nd minute, bringing the scoreline to a tense 2-2. The match’s decisive moment came 13 minutes from time when Andreas Christensen, coming off the bench, headed in a crucial goal from a corner, sealing a narrow but significant advantage for Barcelona as they head into the second leg.
Atletico made to sweat in the end by Dortmund
Atletico Madrid showcased their ambition to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2017 by securing a narrow yet crucial 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-final’s first leg. The match, characterised by Atletico’s aggressive and high-energy play, saw them take an early lead, capitalizing on Dortmund’s defensive lapses.
The game kicked off with Atletico Madrid immediately asserting their dominance. A moment of hesitation from Dortmund’s goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, as he delayed a pass to defender Ian Maatsen, was pounced upon by Rodrigo De Paul. De Paul’s keen sense of opportunity allowed him to intercept the ball and calmly find the back of the net, giving Atletico a lead within the opening four minutes.
Dortmund found themselves struggling to advance past their own half, pinned back by Atletico’s relentless pressure. This pressure soon bore fruit again when another defensive mistake by Dortmund gave Samuel Lino the chance to extend Atletico’s lead. His goal in the 32nd minute seemed to solidify Atletico’s control over the game. However, Lino’s night was bittersweet, as he received a booking that would see him sidelined for the upcoming second leg.
Despite appearing to be on the back foot for much of the match, Dortmund managed to claw back into contention thanks to Sebastien Haller. In the 81st minute, Haller seized his opportunity, reducing the deficit and keeping Dortmund’s hopes alive for the return leg. The closing stages of the match saw Dortmund nearly equalise, hitting the woodwork twice, adding to the nail-biting finish.
Dortmund will now look to overturn the deficit when they welcome Atletico to the Signal Iduna Park on April 16. PSG will head to Barcelona on the same date hoping for a reversal in fortunes as well.