The Champions League returned on Tuesday night with a clash between Barcelona and PSG being the standout tie in the round of 16. Barcelona were looking to repeat their feat that they achieved against PSG a couple of years ago, as they claimed a famous 6-1 second leg victory to progress through to the next round of the famous competition.
However, there were no such heroics, as the French champions produced a memorable performance away from home to take firm control of the tie before it heads back to Paris in a couple of weeks time.
Soccer News: Mbappe Outshines Messi
All eyes were on the club’s two star players on Tuesday night, but at the end of the evening there was an impression that there could be a passing of the guard. Lionel Messi did have the first say in the match after he scored from 12 yards out from the penalty spot after Frenkie de Jong was brought down. But, that was as good as it got for Ronald Koeman’s side. PSG equalised on 32 minutes through Mbappe, as the French World Cup winner squeezed through the Barcelona defence with his tight footwork.
Mbappe continued to show why he is considered by many as one of the outstanding players in the world in the second half, as he gave PSG the lead just after the hour mark. The game, and tie, was effectively out of reach five minutes later as Moise Kean extended the lead. However, Mbappe ensured that it was his name up in lights with five minutes remaining, as he deliciously curled the ball into the top corner after a swift breakaway. It was the Frenchman’s first appearance against Barcelona, and his three goals ensured that he was the first player to score a hat-trick against the Spanish side since Andriy Shevchenko in 1997.
Soccer News: Liverpool Take Control Of Their Tie
The PSG/Barcelona game wasn’t the only game to take place in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, as Liverpool also took firm control of their tie against German side RB Leipzig. The Bundesliga outfit reached the semi-finals of the competition last season, but they will need to come back from 2-0 down in their second leg if they are to achieve that this term.
Liverpool’s form was the big talking point heading into the game, but Jurgen Klopp’s side looked back to somewhere near their best against Leipzig. After a goalless first half, it was the Reds that took the lead in the 53rd minute. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring with an excellent finish. Liverpool doubled their lead less than ten minutes later through Sadio Mane. The return legs of both ties will be played on the 10th March.
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