SETTABLOID

Footage stemming from the aftermath of Barcelona’s meeting with Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night is no doubt set to bring a collective smile to the faces of the club’s supporters the world over.

This comes after a clip of Raphinha securing his Man of the Match award in Paris was forthcoming online.

Wide-man Raphinha, of course, proved himself decisive in Barcelona’s latest triumph late last night.

As much came courtesy of a fine brace, en route to Xavi’s troops putting the aforementioned PSG to the sword by three goals to two in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie between the clubs.

Post-match, it therefore came as little surprise when word was forthcoming that the former Leeds United man had been chosen as the Man of the Match.

Amid what has proven an often challenging stint in Blaugrana colours for Raphinha, his teammates, in turn, made use of the opportunity to showcase their delight with his most recent efforts being aptly recognised.

As showcased below, the 27-year-old’s award was handed to him by fellow countryman Vitor Roque, who was joined by Ronald Araújo and Fermín López in celebrating Raphinha’s achievement:

A young Barcelona side made UEFA Champions League history during Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their quarter-final.

Never before had a starting XI at this stage of the tournament featured more than one player aged under 18.

Not only did Lamine Yamal, 16, and Pau Cubarsi, 17, start in Paris. The two teenagers performed key roles to help Xavi Hernandez’s side to a terrific result.

Center-back Cubarsi played the full game and made more passes (54) than any of his teammates.

Cubarsi also completed four clearances and did not appear fazed by the presence of Kylian Mbappe, who had a quiet night.

At the other end, no Barca player completed more dribbles than winger Yamal, who set up Raphinha for the game’s opening goal with a low cross that PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was unable to deal with.

Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand was very impressed.

“The young kids were tremendous,” Ferdinand said during TNT Sports’ live coverage.

“They were carried at times by the experience but sometimes you need that fearless of Cubarsi and Yamal.

“If you think what we were doing at 16 or 17 there was no way we could have gone in and performed at that level, with that kind of energy, aura and chest out to say ‘I’m meant to be here’.”

• Barcelona triumphed 3-2 away at PSG in Champions League quarter-final first leg
• Several Barca players put in outstanding performances to secure deserved win
• Raphinha and Andreas Christensen were goalscorers on the night

Barcelona’s win was thoroughly impressive / Xavier Laine/GettyImages

Barcelona have one foot in a first Champions League semi-final since 2019 after beating Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 on Wednesday night.

Two goals from Raphinha and one from Andreas Christensen ensured Barca will take a one-goal cushion into the second leg of their quarter-final with the reigning French champions next week.

Xavi managed to overcome his former boss Luis Enrique to lead Barcelona to a memorable victory at Parc des Princes.

Here were Barcelona’s best and worst players on the night, courtesy of 90min’s player ratings.

Barcelona’s best player vs PSG

Raphinha was sensational / FRANCK FIFE/GettyImages

Raphinha – 9/10

For much of this season, Raphinha has been tipped to leave Barcelona. The club are near-enough broke and have to sell players if they are to bring some more in.

It’s becoming increasingly clear, however, that the Brazil winger should not be in the shop window unless Barca receive a crazy, crazy offer.

This was Raphinha’s night. It was his fine finish following a Gianluigi Donnarumma error that put the visitors ahead. It was his finer volley just after the hour mark which brought them level again at 2-2.

hampions League nights are made for the best players. On this occasion, Raphinha strolled into the back yard of Kylian Mbappe and had the last laugh.

Honourable mention

A veteran performance / Franco Arland/GettyImages

Ilkay Gundogan – 8/10

If we’re being honest, the player ratings don’t do justice what a remarkable team effort this was from Barcelona. Every player should get a shoutout in some form or another.

We’re going with Ilkay Gundogan as it felt like he’s the player who took the bull by the horns and asserted Barca’s dominance. PSG had the better of the opening exchanges, but once Gundogan turned it on in the midfield battle, the game was at his mercy.

To top off his contributions for the evening, he provided the assist for Andreas Christensen’s winner, ensuring his impact was both tangible and intangible.

Barcelona’s worst player vs PSG

Yeah maybe don’t do this next time Joao yeah cheers / Tim Clayton – Corbis/GettyImages

Joao Cancelo – 6/10

Alright, don’t get angry. Like I said in the last entry, everyone for Barcelona played well. Some just played better than others.

Damn you, Joao Cancelo, for going in high on Kylian Mbappe when the offside flag had been raised. Damn you.

Dishonourable mention

Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 6/10

Sorry, MATS / Franco Arland/GettyImages

Was there much Marc-Andre ter Stegen could have done about PSG’s goals? No, not really.

Did he still concede two goals to a PSG team who played well for a combined 25 minutes on the night? Yeah. Those are just the facts. I’m not saying he was crap or anything, you got it?

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Raphinha and Andreas Christensen were goalscorers on the night

                                                                                                                Barcelona have one foot in a first Champions League semi-final since 2019 after beating Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 on Wednesday night.

                                                                                                                Two goals from Raphinha and one from Andreas Christensen ensured Barca will take a one-goal cushion into the second leg of their quarter-final with the reigning French champions next week.

It was a night when Raphinha outshone Kylian Mbappe, and gave the Real Madrid bound forward a taste of what he could expect if and when he joins Los Blancos.

The French giants certainly have enough fire power to trouble the Catalans in the return next week, and it should make for another absorbing contest.

Barcelona player ratings

Ter Stegen (7) – Couldn’t do anything about Ousmane Dembele’s goal, but was solid for the most part and commanding in his area.

Joao Cancelo (5) – Got forward well at times though fluffed a few chances when well placed.

Ronald Araujo (7) – Solid as a rock at the back and an aerial threat at the opposite end of the pitch too. Kept Kylian Mbappe quiet.

Pau Cubarsi (9) – Along with Raphinha, the youngster produced a man-of-the-match performance. Looked accomplished and experienced throughout.

Jules Kounde (6) – Flat footed at the start of the second half when PSG made their visitors pay, but solid enough when it mattered.

Frenkie de Jong (7) – Was at the heart of Barca’s play each time they moved forward. Eased through the gears and proved to be the fulcrum across the 90 minutes.

Ilkay Gundogan (4) – A quiet game from the German, a couple of decent through balls notwithstanding.

Sergi Roberto (4) – Booked in the first half, ruling him out of the return leg next week. Didn’t do an awful lot to write home about.

Raphinha (9) – Brilliant going forward and took his goals with aplomb, particularly a world-class second. One of his best games in a Barca shirt.

Lamine Yamal (8) – Ran at his opposite number whenever he had the chance, belying his 16 years and lack of experience in a match of this magnitude.

Robert Lewandowski (6) – Didn’t get too much service but was a thorn in the PSG defence when he got the chance.

oao Felix (5) – Given 30 minutes to work his magic but disappointed once again on the big stage.

Pedri (7) – Came on at the same time as Joao Felix and played the pass of the match to set up Raphinha for his second.

Andreas Christensen (5) – Scored with his first touch to ultimately win the match for Barca but then got himself booked and will miss the second leg.

Ferran Torres (4) – Was busy if not effective in his 15 minutes on the pitch.

Fermin Lopez (3) – Hardly any time on the pitch and unable to affect play.

Wonderkid Lamine Yamal gave another taste of his immense talent as Barcelona’s revival continued with a thrilling 3-2 Champions League defeat of Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday (AEST).

At 16 years and 272 days old, the Spain winger became the elite tournament’s youngest player to appear in a quarter-final, ahead of Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, when he took the pitch at Parc des Princes.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta revealed recently that he rejected a $333m bid for the most prized young asset in world football.

Yamal wasn’t perfect but he flashed his rare gifts to set up the first of Raphinha’s two goals in Paris.

Raphinha curled Barcelona ahead in the 37th minute after PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma struggled with Yamal’s slick right wing cross, which he exquisitely flicked with the outside of his left foot.

Ousmane Dembele then equalised in the 48th minute against his former club.

Kylian Mbappe’s left wing cross was hacked clear by Ronald Araujo and fell to Dembele, who cut inside Frenkie de Jong and slammed the ball past goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Three minutes later, midfielder Vitinha put PSG ahead in a pulsating match.

Vitinha was afforded too much space from Fabian Ruiz’s pass, and slid a shot under his body.

Raphinha then read substitute Pedri’s superbly weighted long pass and clipped a volley past Donnarumma, making it 2-2 in the 62nd minute.

But there was to be another twist as Barcelona substitute Andreas Christensen met a corner and stooped to head past Donnarumma for the winning goal in the 77th minute.

After that goal, PSG manager Luis Enrique’s head dropped.

“We made things a bit difficult for ourselves. We managed to turn things around in the second half and could have had a third,” Enrique said.

“Everything’s still open for us and we will go there with ambition.”

The rivalry between PSG and Barcelona has intensified in recent years, with Barcelona again in the driver’s seat.

PSG knocked Barcelona out in the round of 16 in 2021, but endured quarter-final exits in 2013 and 2015.

Then, in 2017, Enrique’s Barca routed PSG 6-1 in the return leg of their last 16 match to make Champions League comeback history after losing 4-0.

PSG does not need a comeback of that magnitude but must improve.

After a nail-biting encounter, FC Barcelona emerged victorious over PSG in Paris. The French side showed early signs of venom in the game, but La Blaugrana emerged as the final victors. A 3-2 scoreline serves Barcelona well as they await the next leg in their home at the Montjuic Stadium.

Two crucial goals from Raphinha and one from late hero Andreas Christensen all gave Barcelona a lifeline. On the other end, a familiar face added insult to injury but that was cooled off soon enough courtesy of the brilliant substitutions made by Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez.

Here is how the Barcelona players fared against PSG.

Player Ratings:

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen: 7.5

Throughout the first half, the German goalkeeper remained as composed as ever. Barely letting PSG get even a sniff of his goal, his ball-playing and handling were both faultless. However, his sluggishness in the second half ended up costing Barcelona.

Joao Cancelo: 7.5

Despite the fact that Joao Cancelo created some solid chances for Barcelona, his faults must be highlighted too. On more than one occasion, his decision to take a strike himself instead of passing the ball to better options ended up costing Barcelona some great positions.

Pau Cubarsi: 8.5

Very few can still argue the merits of Pau Cubarsi, and the youngster continues to prove himself. Despite the two goals that Barcelona did end up conceding, the young 17-year-old Spaniard made sure to keep even the likes of Kylian Mbappe at bay whenever he got close.

Ronald Araujo: 9.0

An absolute sentinel in defense, Ronald Araujo was immaculate. No matter who got close enough to him, even if it was the dreadful French ace of PSG, the Uruguayan closed down each and every one of his opponents with great expertise. Great performance from him.

Jules Kounde: 9.0

Many compliments can be given to defenders to show praise, but being given praise for having contained Kylian Mbappe is a compliment beyond anything else. Moreover, the French defender even managed to contribute heavily in the attack as well.

Frenkie De Jong: 7.5

He may not have had the flashy moments that some of his other peers had, but Frenkie De Jong contributed his own unique kind of qualities. The sustainability of possession and the composure that came through his presence was immense.

Sergi Roberto: 6.5

Did the general things well and did not commit too many mistakes. However, he was not the differential player that Barcelona needed to make the improvements they so desperately needed in the game. He was also booked and will now miss the second leg.

Ilkay Gundogan: 8.5

Almost playing with a sense of inevitability, Ilkay Gundogan was once again commandeering the Barcelona midfield. The German commander even provided the assist for Andreas Christensen’s goal that proved to be a key third goal for Barcelona in Paris.

Although the prospect of a Remontada rematch had dominated the build-up tonight’s clash at the Parc des Princes, Luis Enrique’s reunion with former teammate Xavi emerged as an unexpectedly confrontational subplot.

For most of the first half, it was Xavi who was making the better case for that title. Although PSG initially dominated possession, their forays into the Barcelona box were few and far between, and eventually the frailty of their makeshift defence was put to the test.

While a Nuno Mendes goalline clearance initially kept them at bay, the Catalans eventually made the breakthrough ten minutes from the break. Lewandowski – whose tireless hold-up play kept the entire backline busy – would find Lamine Yamal, whose cross Donnarumma could only get fingertips to, leaving Raphinha to sweep into an empty net.

It was Luis Enrique, though, whose half-time tweaks proved the most effective, and within minutes of the restart the Ligue 1 leaders had turned the game around. With a shot that rifled into the roof of the net, Dembélé made up for his misfiring first half to equalise and open his European account for the campaign – against his former team, no less. Seconds later, Vitinha ventured into the box to convert from a Fabián Ruiz through ball.

The Blaugrana would be back ahead within minutes, though. With his first touch after coming on, Pedri found Raphinha over the top with a pin-point ball, and a first-time finish past Donnarumma gave the Brazilian his brace. While PSG looked more confident going forward – Dembélé notably came within inches of his own double – the Catalans would veer ahead again fifteen minutes later. It was a different goalscorer – Christensen nodding in from the corner – but the Italian goalkeeper was once again at fault, a total lack of authority in the box handing the Dane free header from close range.

Les Parisiens face a (literal) uphill battle at Montjuïc next week.

PSG player ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma, 2 – The Italian turned in a nervy display, and was effectively at fault for all three goals. The former Milan man once again showed that, for all of his shot-stopping heroics over the last two seasons, PSG will need to seriously think about an upgrade in the near future.

Marquinhos, 4 

Lucas Hernández, 4

Lucas Beraldo, 2

Nuno Mendes, 4

Kang-in Lee, 4

Vitinha, 6

Ousmane Dembélé, 6 – PSG’s most active player in the first half, even if his cross were mostly wayward. A timely second goal of the campaign sparked a short-lived comeback, and was denied a second goal by the post later in the game.

Marco Asensio, 4 – The Spaniard was a surprise inclusion in Luis Enrique’s starting eleven, seconding Mbappé and Dembélé on the PSG frontline. His substitution at half-time – for Bradley Barcola – was justified, having contributed little to his team’s attacks (11 touches), even accounting for the adverse circumstances.

Kylian Mbappé, 4

Selected Barcelona player ratings

Raphinha, 8

Robert Lewandowski, 7

Pau Cubarsí, 8

Barcelona have taken a big step towards a spot in this season’s Champions League semi-finals thanks to an epic 3-2 comeback victory against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night. After a great first half the Blaugrana collapsed in the first 15 minutes of the final period and looked in danger of suffering a bad defeat, but found a way back in the game and will take a massive result back home ahead of next week’s second leg.

FIRST HALF

The opening 10 minutes belonged to PSG, who as expected took the initiative early at home, pressed high up the pitch and had almost all of the possession. But they ran into a very well organized Barça backline, and despite a couple of shots on target the home side never came close to bothering Marc-André ter Stegen in the Blaugrana goal.

The Catalans had a clear plan to absorb the early pressure and not concede in the opening stages, and they successfully dealt with Kylian Mbappé by always having two or three bodies around the French superstar while João Cancelo took care of Ousmane Dembélé almost by himself on the other side. With their two main threats completely nullified PSG were stuck, and Barça gained full control of the game once they started having more of the ball.

The Blaugrana came very close to the opener in three different occasions in the first 25 minutes with a header from Robert Lewandowski that was cleared off the line by Nuno Mendes, a shot by Lamine Yamal that went agonizingly wide after a deflection and a powerful effort from Raphinha that required a very good save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

As we approached halftime Barça’s control started to become dominance, but they needed a goal to reward their good play. And that goal came with 10 minutes left in the period with an attacking move that started with Ter Stegen, included a wonderful piece of hold-up and link-up play by Lewandowski, and ended with a cross from Yamal that was deflected by Donnarumma and fell perfectly at the far post to Raphinha, who scored with his weaker right foot and put the visitors in front.

Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Barcelona have made the trip to French capital Paris to take on PSG for the first-leg of the quarter-final tonight, with the hopes of finishing off the tie as soon as possible.