A nightmare evening for all associated with La Liga giants Barcelona on Tuesday ultimately culminated in the Blaugrana being sent packing from the Champions League.
As much came by way of a defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain which will live long in the memory.
After looking as though they had not only the fixture, but tie as a whole firmly under control upon Raphinha opening the scoring in Catalunya’s capital, Barcelona’s European adventure quickly went from dream, to utter nightmare.
After Ronald Araújo was given his marching orders for a last-man challenge on Bradley Barcola, PSG took advantage, in ruthless fashion.
A quartet of goals ultimately gave rise to a 4-1 triumph on the night, and 6-4 aggregate result.
And yet, Barca’s woes were not confined solely to the scoreline itself.
Adding yet further insult to injury was the source of the goals racked up by PSG across the 90 minutes.
Former Blaugrana wide-man Ousmane Dembélé, who was subjected to a predictably torrid reception on the part of the home crowd, both opened the scoring in proceedings, and won a 2nd-half penalty for his side.
Converting the spot-kick in question, before putting the icing on the cake with PSG’s late 4th, meanwhile, was Kylian Mbappé.
Set to be plying his trade with none other than Barcelona’s arch rivals, Real Madrid, from next season on, this only compounded the most miserable evening imaginable for all associated with the Catalan club.
Conor Laird | GSFN
