Kylian Mbappe tore the Barcelona defence to shreds, firing PSG to a 4-1 win in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg tie at Camp Nou.
In what was arguably the biggest draw of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 this season, Barcelona drew first blood as Lionel Messi buried home a penalty in the 27th minute after Layvin Kurzawa had fouled Frenkie de Jong. However, it was all PSG from that point on as Kylian Mbappe & co. put the hosts’ defence to the sword.
Indeed, Mbappe pulled the Parisian outfit in the 32nd minute with a brilliant finish before putting his team in front in the 65th minute. Moise Kean then pretty much killed the game when he beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen to make it 3-1 in the 70th minute before Mbappe completed his hat-trick fifteen minutes later to heap further misery on Barcelona.
It was a resounding win for Mauricio Pochettino’s side against Barcelona, who will now have a huge mountain to climb when the two teams meet in France for the second leg. And here’s how we rated the performances of both sets of players on an exciting night at Camp Nou.
Barcelona
Marc-Andre ter Stegen: 6/10
Made a number of crucial stops throughout the contest to keep out the likes of Kurzawa, Mbappe and Kean to keep Barcelona in the contest. Let down by a flailing defence as he ended up conceding four times.
Sergino Dest: 4/10
Preferred over Oscar Mingueza at right-back, the USMNT international struggled to cope with the brilliant Mbappe on the night. Unsurprisingly withdrawn in the second period.
Gerard Pique: 4/10
How to stop Mbappe ? pic.twitter.com/DA2uZO1Epk
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 16, 2021
Made himself available after a three-month layoff and was thrust right back into the thick of things. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out for Pique or Ronald Koeman as he looked off pace and struggled to stem the flow of PSG attacks. Taken off after 78 minutes.
Clement Lenglet: 4/10
Just not good enough from the Frenchman who found it hard to keep a tight watch on the PSG attackers. Failed to close down Mbappe for the opening goal and was caught napping for Kean’s strike in the second period.
Jordi Alba: 5/10
Had made a decent start, but was pushed back further and further by the enterprising Kean with the veteran full-back struggling to keep a check on the Italian international throughout. That also meant he hardly made an impact going forward.
Frenkie de Jong: 6/10
Worked hard defensively and made positive runs forward, with one such run winning Barcelona the penalty after he was clipped by Kurzawa. Not able to have the necessary influence to pull his team back into the game, however.
Sergio Busquets: 4/10
Sergio Busquets won just 1 of the 6 tackles he attempted against PSG.
Miles off. ? pic.twitter.com/onDoEMno36
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 16, 2021
Was easily dominated by Marco Verratti & co. as the veteran midfielder showed signs of age catching up with him. Left way too much space in front of the Barcelona defence for PSG to exploit while his passing was also not as accurate as it can be.
Pedri: 5/10
Created one decent opening in the first period but was largely ineffective as he was caught on the ball time and again, yielding possession in critical moments. A humbling experience for Barcelona’s breakout star of the season.
Ousmane Dembele: 4/10
Should have made it 2-0 minutes after Messi had scored but fired a tame effort at Keylor Navas. Didn’t do much of note going forward and hardly offered defensive support, allowing Kurzawa to get forward with freedom and cause problems to the Barcelona backline.
Lionel Messi: 6/10
Lionel Messi in the Champions League this season:
⚽️ Penalty vs Ferencváros
⚽️ Penalty vs Juventus
⚽️ Penalty vs Dynamo Kyiv
⚽️ Penalty vs PSGSpot-kick specialist. #UCL pic.twitter.com/oB0cuzicUC
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 16, 2021
Played a brilliant pass for de Jong leading up to the penalty which the Barcelona skipper converted with aplomb. Created a couple of promising openings for his teammates, but couldn’t drag his team back into the contest like he so often does.
Antoine Griezmann: 5/10
Had a couple of half-chances early in the game which he failed to make the most of. Looked lively when he did get on the ball but was ultimately well-marshalled by the PSG defence ensuring that he had little impact on the outcome of the game.
SUBSTITUTES
Oscar Mingueza: 4/10
On for Dest for the final twenty minutes. Hardly fared any better than the man he replaced.
Riqui Puig: N/A
On for Pedri with less than 15 minutes left. Couldn’t alter the course of the game.
Francisco Trincao: N/A
Came on for Pique as Barcelona tried to push for goals. Made a couple of surging runs, but nothing came out of those.
Miralem Pjanic: N/A
Replaced Busquets in the 78th minute. Not enough time to make an impact.
Martin Braithwaite: N/A
On for Griezmann with five minutes left. Not given much to work with.
PSG
Keylor Navas: 6/10
Didn’t have a whole lot to do on the night. Had no chance of stopping Messi’s brilliant penalty. But one nervy moment up against Griezmann late on almost gifted the hosts a goal.
Alessandro Florenzi: 7/10
Started out a tad slow but grew into the game with time as he kept a lid on Griezmann while also providing an outlet going forward. Set Mbappe’s second goal up with a neat cutback.
Marquinhos: 7.5/10
Marquinhos’ game by numbers vs. Barcelona:
96% pass accuracy
83 total touches
7 acc. long passes
3 tackles won
3 clearances
2 interceptionsSo impressive. ? pic.twitter.com/586ReVJJLv
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 16, 2021
A rock-solid presence at the heart of the PSG defence, the club captain won three tackles and made two interceptions, ensuring little got past him. Distributed well out from the back with his cross-field pass starting the move for the equaliser in the first period.
Presnel Kimpembe: 6.5/10
Had a few difficulties early on but improved as the game wore on and was helped by the fact that Barcelona did not threaten going forward a great deal.
Layvin Kurzawa: 6.5/10
Conceded the penalty from which Messi scored, but redeemed himself, playing a role in the lead-up to the equaliser before testing ter Stegen himself with a shot. Provided a constant attacking presence out on the left side.
Idrissa Gueye: 5.5/10
Pressed hard from the start, but was a tad bit over-eager as when he went into challenges recklessly, earning a booking just 20 minutes in. Made a couple more fouls soon after and was unsurprisingly subbed off at half-time as he ran the risk of being sent off.
Leandro Paredes: 7.5/10
Leandro Paredes game by numbers vs. Barcelona:
92% pass accuracy
93 touches
10 ball recoveries (most)
6 duels won
5 crosses (most)
3 clearances
3 fouls won
2 tackles
1 chance created
1 shot
1 interceptionBest Argentinian on the pitch. ? pic.twitter.com/H5AtxjWZ8R
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 16, 2021
A key presence in the middle of the park for PSG. Sprayed the ball around with great accuracy while also doing his bit to protect the defence. Was involved in the buildup to PSG’s second before setting up the third goal with a well-hit free-kick.
Marco Verratti: 8.5/10
Ran the show for PSG with his vision and intelligence while also putting in a shift off the ball. Produced a great tackle to deny Griezmann a shooting opportunity in the first period moments before he conjured up a brilliant moment to set Mbappe up for the equaliser. Drove forward with intent, winning five dribbles and made one key pass before being withdrawn. Impactful.
Marco Verratti dropped a masterclass against Barcelona… in just 73 minutes ?
PSG's metronome might be the most underrated midfielder in world football ✨#UCL #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/doT2cpvraw
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) February 17, 2021
Moise Kean: 8/10
A livewire on the right side of the PSG attack, the Italian international caused all sorts of problems with his pace and movement. Forced ter Stegen into a save in the first half and managed to beat him in the second to make it 3-1.
Mauro Icardi: 6/10
The quieter of the PSG attackers on the night, Icardi had a couple of decent chances to add to his goal-tally but failed to make the most of those. Played well with his back to the goal but needed to be more clinical when the chances came his way.
Kylian Mbappe: 10/10
Ran rings around the Barcelona defence all game long, who just couldn’t handle him. Showed great composure to level things up in the first half before producing two more exquisite finishes to complete his hat-trick and fire PSG to a memorable victory at Camp Nou. Completed the most number of dribbles (10) and key passes (4) on the night. Too hot to handle.
Kylian Mbappé was not born the last time a player scored a Champions League hat-trick against Barcelona. #UCL https://t.co/GdWv7NCM7Z
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 16, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Ander Herrera: 6.5/10
Half-time substitute for Gueye. Added discipline and composure to the PSG midfield unit.
Julian Draxler: 6.5/10
Replaced Verratti in the 73rd minute. Set up Mbappe’s third of the night with a fine move.
Danilo Pereira: N/A
On for Kean as Pochettino looked to shut shop.
Thilo Kehrer: N/A
Late substitute for Florenzi.
