PSG hold Barca with last minute equalizer as Bayern beat Juve

Blaise Matuidi salvaged a 2-2 draw for Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League quarter-final tie against Barcelona, scoring in the final minute of stoppage time.

PSG had trailed for much of the match after Lionel Messi’s first half opener but drew level with ten minutes to go through Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

However, Barca looked to have secured a crucial away win after Xavi converted a spot kick awarded for a foul committed by keeper Salvatore Sirigu on Alexis Sanchez.

Yet the French side hit back once again, when Victor Valdes allowed Matuidi’s deflected shot to wriggle through his grasp, giving PSG hope heading into next week’s second leg at the Camp Nou.

PSG has spent over US$320 million on transfers in a bid to join Europe’s elite clubs, and although it still faces a huge task to qualify, it at least showed that it has enough spirit and determination to unsettle Barcelona’s slick passing game.

Messi, the four-time FIFA Player of the Year, scored his 57th goal of the season in the 38th minute, then favored his right leg in the final minutes of the first half and was replaced by Cesc Fabregas at the start of the second. Barcelona said Messi will undergo tests Wednesday on his right hamstring.

Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano left on a stretcher in the 84th minute after tearing the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during a collision with teammate Jordi Alba. Already missing injured defenders Carles Puyol and Adriano Correia, Barcelona said Mascherano will be sidelined for six weeks.

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Bayern Munich 2-0 Juventus

Bayern Munich are in control of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Juventus following a dominant display at the Allianz Arena that saw them win the first leg 2-0.

David Alaba gave the home side a dream start when he deceived Gianluigi Buffon with a swirling strike that found the far corner after just 23 seconds.

The visitors responded well, though, Pirlo firing just inches over with a free kick from 35 yards after a foul on Fabio Quagliarella by Bayern defender Daniel van Buyten.

Just two minutes later, Vidal came close with a powerful effort that flew wide of the post, while at the other end of the pitch, substitute Arjen Robben saw his goalbound shot blocked by Buffon on 18 minutes.

After the half-time break, Mario Mandzukic should have made it 2-0 to the hosts, but his effort was saved by Buffon at his near post.

Alaba then drew a save from Buffon with a free kick on 55 minutes, while Mandzukic had a good shout for penalty turned down by the referee four minutes later after going down under a robust challenge in the area.

Bayern eventually got the all-important second goal in the 63rd minute when Mandzukic pounced on a loose ball in the area and squared for Muller, who prodded home from two yards.

With both sides top of their respective leagues, Bundesliga giants Bayern are bidding to reach their third Champions League final in four years while Juventus have won all five of their previous European quarter-finals against German teams.

But Juventus will have to produce a top performance next week if they are to maintain that record as Bayern dominated this match.

The second leg at the Juventus stadium will be played on the Wednesday, April 10.


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