The Greatest Comeback Ever!
None but the Barcelona fans had a faint glimmer of hope as the La Liga defending champions locked horns with PSG in the last-16 second-leg clash in the Champions League on Wednesday.
After suffering a 4-0 defeat in the first-leg clash, it looked impossible for Barcelona to produce a comeback and turn the tables round.
But now the Catalan side have changed the dynamics of the sport by achieving the most remarkable Champions League comeback in the history of the competition as they hammered PSG 6-1 in the second leg clash on Wednesday to seal a place in the last-eight.
At the start of the game Barcelona coach Luis Enrique took a risk by playing a three-man defense in order to fit Rafinha, Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic into his side.
He was rewarded for his courage in the third minute when Luis Suarez headed Barca into the lead, after reacting first to a hanging ball in the PSG penalty area.
It all started with the opener from Luis Suarez, a Layvin Kurzawa own goal and a Lionel Messi penalty that guided Barcelona just one goal away from matching PSG’s 4 goals from the first-leg clash.
However, Edinson Cavani proved his class again by scoring a crucial away goal for PSG on Wednesday and it appeared that Barcelona were on the brink of losing a hard fought battle.
What followed next was nothing short of a miracle.
Barcelona made a dream comeback as Neymar netted two quick goals – one from an incredible curled effort from a free-kick and the next from the spot.
The scores were even but PSG were banking upon their crucial away goal during the fag end of the game. The atmosphere at Nou Camp was inexpressible as Barcelona had only five minutes of extra-time to turn the tables round.
Fans prayed, some cried, and few were on the verge of a collapse – but they had that one last hope.
Neymar whipped in a dipping cross in the box to pick Sergi Roberto, who threw himself in the air, full stretch to tap the ball home with the tip of his boot to clinch the last-minute winner.
And now the rest is history….. The stadium burst into a never-ending roar and after a lack-lustre season, the Barca hierarchy were happy – all jumping and throwing their fists in the air.
From running on the ground, wheeling away in happiness and piled on by each teammate. This is how Barca players celebrated their glorious victory on ground.
Boss Luis Enrique didn’t shy away his delight and went running towards his players with a broad smile on his face.
On ground celebration is only complete when the central hero of the team is raised high.
Javier Mascherano posted a photo on social media of the team celebrating in the dressing room.
But they didn’t realize Defender Jeremy Mathieu was showing a middle finger while the photo was clicked. We wonder whom is he showing that too.
May be it’s the answer to all the HATERS out there.