Overdue against Barça, PSG qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League

Paris can thank Keylor Navas.

Brilliant in the first leg, the Parisians suffered martyrdom against a domineering Barça on Wednesday (1-1), at the Parc des Princes.

They finally get away with the ticket to the Champions League quarter-finals in their pocket, thanks to an incredible performance from their Costa Rican goalkeeper.

Lionel Messi responded to Kylian Mbappé's opener from the penalty spot in the first period.  

In pain

The day and the night.

Conquerors, strong in the minds and the game, sure of themselves and their qualities, Mauricio Pochettino's players had achieved an "almost perfect match" - dixit Marco Verratti - three weeks ago, in Barcelona, ​​to win 4-1.

Quite the opposite this time.

Dominators of entry, the Barcelonans made living hell in Paris-SG during the first 45 minutes.

Wave upon wave, occasion upon occasion.

There was first this free kick over Messi (8th), and it did not stop then.

Often with the twirling Ousmane Dembélé often in the right moves but not only (11th, 13th, 18th, 23rd, 24th) and Navas in preventing going in circles (see elsewhere).

Drama with this foot of Clément Lenglet on the heel of Mauro Icardi, the penalty of Mbappé in the skylight (1-0, 31st).

To say that Paris was leading against the course of the game would be an understatement ... And Barcelona immediately put the pressure back on with many hot situations (35th, 36th) and Lionel Messi who made the powder speak from (very) far (1- 1, 37th) before missing a penalty (45 + 3).

1-1 at halftime?

Well paid for PSG, very well ...

Apart from two forays by Mbappé (16th, 42nd), the only Parisian to offer things ahead, Marc André Ter Stegen spent the first 45 minutes very quiet.

He was not more worried after the break, but PSG were less endangered too.

Barça still had control, and still made its hosts tremble, with for example this miraculous rescue of Marquinhos in front of Messi (60th).

Finally, Paris folded but did not break and the hold-up was not far with Mbappé (90th, 1-1 final score).

In the end, 21 strikes to 7 in favor of Barça, 72% of ball possession.

Keylor Navas players will long regret their missed opportunities, Messi's penalty ... 

Behind the scenes of the Parisian victory at Camp Nou

Grande Navas

“We had an extraordinary goalkeeper with Keylor Navas, it's not forbidden.

We were lucky, it is not prohibited. "

These are the words of Thomas Tuchel, after a 2-2 draw for PSG against Real, in Madrid, in 2019. Words that Mauricio Pochettino could take on his account.

Because without a great Navas, an immense Navas, the club of the capital would perhaps have faltered ... If one had to retain only one stop of the Costa Rican of 33 years, it would obviously be this penalty of Lionel Messi diverted on the bar ( 45 + 3).

It could also be this (very) firm hand on the cannonball of Dest (23rd).

The former Real goalkeeper, triple winner of the C1, also disgusted Ousmane Dembélé (11th, 18th, 35th).

And this reflex at the near post in the second half, on a header from Sergio Busquets (69th) ... In total, nine stops and a performance worthy of the greatest for Navas, an XXL performance synonymous with qualification.

At 15 million euros, disbursed in 2019, it's more than a business, a robbery. 

Messi, a gem to keep hope alive

And if it was Lionel Messi's last European match under the Barcelona colors?

Perhaps.

Remember that the Pulga will be free at the end of the season.

In the meantime, the Argentine number 10 did everything to prolong the suspense in this meeting, with a lot of effort, a role of boss and this fantastic goal of the 37th minute.

A powerful left strike that left Navas no chance.

Cannon shot from 25 meters.

At 33 years old, the Argentinian genius was remembered by the good memories of all.

He lacked a hint of success to turn this meeting into madness, with this missed penalty (45 + 3) and this miraculous rescue of Marquinhos in front of him, at six meters (60th).

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