Player ratings PSG vs Barcelona: Raphinha brace leads Barca to first-leg win

Barcelona win Champions League classic against PSG with goals from Dembele and Vitinha, taking a one-goal lead into second leg.

In a thrilling Champions League clash, Barcelona emerged victorious with a narrow one-goal lead over Paris Saint-Germain. The French champions found themselves on the losing end of a 3-2 scoreline after a lackluster and inexperienced performance.

Xavi's young Barcelona side showed composure and determination as they secured a crucial win at the Parc des Princes. The match started with a flurry of half-chances, with Barcelona coming close to scoring early on when Gianluigi Donnarumma failed to claim a corner, leading to a goal-line clearance from Nuno Mendes to deny Robert Lewandowski.

PSG's Kylian Mbappe was denied a penalty after a challenge from Joao Cancelo, with VAR ruling in favor of offside. Barcelona took the lead just before halftime through Raphinha, who capitalized on a mistake by Donnarumma to find the top corner.

However, PSG quickly turned the game around in the second half, with goals from Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha putting them ahead. Barcelona equalized through Raphinha and eventually took the lead with Andreas Christensen's header from a corner.

Despite late pressure from PSG, Barcelona held on for the win, setting up an intriguing second leg in Catalonia. The match saw standout performances from players like Vitinha, Raphinha, and Ilkay Gundogan, while Xavi's tactical acumen shone through in guiding his team to victory.

Overall, Barcelona's victory showcased their resilience and ability to compete at the highest level, while PSG will need to regroup and come back stronger in the return leg. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to this enthralling Champions League quarter-final tie.

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