In a thrilling Champions League quarter-final clash, Barcelona secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Paris Saint-Germain, with substitute Andreas Christensen delivering the decisive goal moments after entering the fray. The match, held at PSG’s Parc des Princes, began with the home team asserting their dominance, unleashing a barrage of shots in the first quarter-hour. Despite PSG’s early pressure, it was Barcelona who led at the interval, courtesy of Raphinha’s counter-attacking strike in the 37th minute.

The second half saw PSG quickly reverse their fortunes, with Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha scoring back-to-back goals within just over two minutes, flipping the game on its head. Barcelona’s response was swift, with Pedri, another substitute, setting up Raphinha for a spectacular volleyed equalizer.

The match continued with high tension as Kylian Mbappe missed a close-range opportunity, and both Kang-In Lee and Marco Asensio forced saves from Barcelona’s keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Nuno Mendes’ potential wonder goal was thwarted by a crucial Ronald Araujo block.

Barcelona had their own near-misses, with Robert Lewandowski’s header cleared off the line by Mendes, and Raphinha’s long-distance effort narrowly averted by PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma. However, Raphinha wasn’t to be denied, finding the net before the break after a cross from Lamine Yamal was deflected into his path.

PSG’s halftime recovery was short-lived as Barcelona’s late resurgence, capped by Christensen’s winner, put them in the driver’s seat for the return leg of the tie. The match was a testament to the impact of strategic substitutions and the relentless pace of elite European football.