Neymar Double Sends Barca to Champions League Last Four

Heading into the game with a 3-1 lead, the hosts never looked in danger of relinquishing their healthy advantage as PSG struggled to cope with Barcelona’s pacey passing style.

The match was Luis Enrique’s 50th in charge and he is now just two games away from leading Barcelona to their first Champions League final since 2011.

Andres Iniesta, who has won this competition three times with Barca, was up for the challenge from the first whistle, dominating the ball and spearheading most of the home side's early attacks.

It was no surprise when they took the lead on 14 minutes with the Spanish international providing the magic.

He picked the ball up deep inside his own half and danced his past two PSG tackles, making 50 yards in the process, before finding Neymar with a perfectly weighted through ball. The striker skipped past Salvatore Sirigu in the PSG goal and tapped the ball into the empty net.

Left foot cross and powerful header

Barcelona had lost just one of their last 31 UEFA Champions League home matches and looked in the mood to extend that run although Zlatan Ibrahimovic did have the ball in the net on 17 minutes, but it was correctly ruled out for offside.

Dani Alves was a constant menace down the right flank and he provided the assist for the second goal. 

Once again it was Neymar that put the ball in the net as he evaded the clutches of David Luiz in the area to steer home Alves’ pinpoint left-foot cross with a powerful header. 

PSG needed four goals to save the tie in the second-half and although they started at a good tempo with Marco Verratti firing wide from the edge of the box on 54 minutes, a sensational comeback never looked even remotely possible.

The game slowed to a crawl thereafter, almost testimonial-like, as PSG were happy to leave with their dignity intact by avoiding a thrashing.

Cavani pulled a shot into the side-netting from close range with 10 minutes remaining as substitute Lucas Moura injected some pace into PSG’s attacks but Javier Mascherano and his defensive comrades stood strong to see their team through to Friday's semi-final draw.

Courtesy: Sky Sports