Barcelona, Spain's Soccer Debacle
Luis Enrique and Ousmane Dembele Lead Barcelona to Stunning Victory Over Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain Defeated by Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16
Luis Enrique returned to Barcelona to knock his former club out of the Champions League as Kylian Mbappé, Edinson Cavani, Ángel Di María, and Julian Draxler scored for Paris Saint-Germain in a 4-0 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.
Barcelona was reduced to 10 men in the 37th minute when Sergi Roberto was sent off for a second yellow card. The visitors also lost Javier Mascherano to injury in the second half.
The win gives PSG a strong advantage heading into the second leg at the Camp Nou on March 8. Barcelona will need to score at least four goals to progress to the quarterfinals.
Enrique was sacked by Barcelona in 2017 after three seasons in charge. He has since led PSG to two Ligue 1 titles and the Coupe de France.
Mbappé opened the scoring for PSG in the first half with a stunning solo goal. The French forward picked up the ball in his own half and dribbled past several Barcelona players before slotting it past Marc-André ter Stegen.
Cavani doubled PSG's lead in the second half with a header from a cross by Di María. Di María then made it 3-0 with a free-kick that went in off the underside of the crossbar.
Draxler added the fourth goal in the dying minutes with a curling shot from outside the box.
The victory was a big statement of intent from PSG, who are determined to win the Champions League for the first time.
Barcelona, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their performance. The Spanish champions have been in poor form lately and are now in danger of going out of the Champions League at the last 16 stage for the first time since 2016.
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