UCL: PSG eliminate Barcelona as Dortmund overpower Atletico to reach semis

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have advanced to the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) following a 6-4 aggregate win over ten-man Barcelona on Tuesday night.

The Paris-based side had lost the first leg 3-2 at home and delivered an impressive turnaround, thanks to three second-half goals at their Spanish host’s makeshift stadium.

Ousmane Dembele, former Barcelona winger, and Kylian Mbappe were the Spanish side’s tormentors — the former scored once and won a penalty, while the latter got a brace.

The visitors dominated the early exchanges but conceded against the run of play when Rafinha slotted a cutback into an unguarded net.

The home side was reduced to ten men on 29 minutes when Ronald Araujo received a straight red card for stopping Bradley Barcola as the last man.

PSG made the numerical advantage count with Dembele equalising before halftime, while Vitinha put the Parisiens ahead early in the second half.

Dembele was brought down by Joao Cancelo in the box for a penalty, allowing him to score the first of his brace, with the second coming in the dying moments from a rebound following a quick counter.

It is the second time Barcelona will lose by a similar scoreline to PSG, repeating the 2021 round-of-16 debacle at Camp Nou.

The defeat is also Barcelona’s first in 13 matches in all competitions, while PSG are in the semi-final of the UCL for the first time in three years.

Luis Enrique’s side will face Borussia Dortmund who scored twice in each half and briefly threw away a two-goal lead en route to a 4-2 win on the night, and a 5-4 aggregate victory over Atletico Madrid.

Dortmund are in the UCL last four for the first time since 2013 when the German side reached the final.