Kylian Mbappe struck twice as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) battled back to beat 10-man Barcelona 4-1 and book a place in the Champions League semi-finals with a 6-4 aggregate triumph on Tuesday night.
Raphinha fired Barcelona ahead early on but Ronald Araujo’s 29th-minute red card turned the tide in PSG’s favour, despite the Spanish champions leading by two goals following a 3-2 quarter-final first-leg win.
Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha levelled the tie for PSG and Mbappe hit a brace to put them into the final four for the first time since 2021.
The French champions have never won the trophy despite huge investment but demonstrated they have the attacking weapons in their squad to do so.
PSG coach Luis Enrique, who led Barcelona to the 2015 Champions League, said he believed his team would turn things around despite never having managed to after a first-leg home defeat, and so it proved.
Five-time winners Barcelona were dreaming of a first semi-final return since 2019 but Araujo’s red card for pulling down the relentless Bradley Barcola undermined their grip on the tie.
Ilkay Gundogan hit the post at the other end for Barcelona before coach Xavier Hernandez was sent off for a show of dissent on the touchline.
LaLiga: Barcelona thrash Atletico Madrid to go second
Another member of Barcelona’s backroom staff was dismissed after Gundogan had a penalty appeal waved away and it became clear the hosts had no response.
It became another in a series of European nightmares for the Catalans, who last won the trophy in 2015.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong said: “In Europe playing with 10 you know you are going to suffer.
“We tried and we fought to be in the semi-finals, it’s a tough blow because we were convinced we could get through.”
Xavi said: “The referee was really bad. I told him his performance was a disaster. I don’t like to talk about referees, but it had a clear impact in the season and it has to be said.
“We are very upset and angry because the red card was the decisive factor in the match. With 11 players we were in a good position, playing well and in command.
“It’s too much to flash a red card in a game like this. There was another game after that. It is a pity that the work of the season was ruined by an unnecessary expulsion.”
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