Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have advanced to the semifinals of the Champions League, demonstrating resilience and determination against formidable opponents Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa, respectively, in their quarterfinal second legs.
Barcelona secured their progression with an aggregate score of 5-3, despite facing a tough challenge in Germany, where they lost 3-1 to Dortmund on Tuesday. The match showcased the impressive performance of Serhou Guirassy, who recorded a hat-trick and nearly spearheaded a remarkable comeback for the home team.
With an initial 4-0 advantage from the first leg, Barcelona felt the heat as Dortmund surged forward, with Guirassy expertly converting a penalty to open the scoring within the first 11 minutes. His follow-up goal early in the second half left the aggregate score at 4-2, igniting hopes of a sensational turnaround. However, Barcelona responded strategically, with Fermin Lopez’s intervention leading to an own goal from Ramy Bensebaini, bringing the score to 4-3. Guirassy’s third goal for Dortmund late in the game added tension, yet Barcelona managed to maintain their advantage to progress and keep their ambitions for a treble alive, ten years after last achieving this feat.
The quarterfinal clash highlighted Barcelona’s determination under the pressure of losing their first competitive match of the year. They are now set to face either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich in the semifinals, reflecting their status as title favorites. Meanwhile, Guirassy’s exceptional goal-scoring capability, with 13 Champions League goals this season, further solidified his reputation as a key player.
In another thrilling matchup, PSG narrowly advanced with an aggregate score of 5-4 against Aston Villa, who claimed a 3-2 victory in the second leg. PSG, having won the first leg 3-1, faced a spirited challenge from the English side. The French team took an early lead, with Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes scoring in quick succession and showcasing their clinical attacking prowess.
Yet, Villa’s Youri Tielemans sparked a revival with a deflected goal, followed by two swift goals from John McGinn and Ezri Konsa, levelling the tension for PSG. The match concluded with the home side pressing for an equalizer, but PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made several crucial saves, ensuring his team’s progression to the semifinals against either Real Madrid or Arsenal.
Both Barcelona and PSG have displayed commendable skill and tenacity in their respective matches, setting the stage for exciting encounters in the upcoming semifinals as they pursue their dreams of Champions League glory.
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