BARCELONA — Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez berated the referee and said his performance cost Barcelona a chance to fight for a place in the Champions League semi-finals after they lost 4-1 to Paris Saint-Germain and were knocked out of the competition on Tuesday.
Ousmane Dembele cemented himself as one of Barcelona’s biggest villains on Tuesday during Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-1 victory (winning 6-4 on aggregate) to send the Catalan side out of the Champions League.
The Frenchman and former Barcelona player scored one of PSG’s four goals, drew a penalty and won man of the match to send his previous club packing. He was undoubtedly the most booed and hated player inside the Estadi Olimpic in Barcelona.
Ousmane Dembélé: “Barcelona is a great club. I love it!”.
PARIS — Brazil forward Raphinha scored twice to help Barcelona secure a 3-2 win at Paris Saint Germain in a lively Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday, earning the Spanish side their first win in the knockout stage in four years.
PSG forward Kylian Mbappe was nowhere to be found in Parc des Princes as five-times European champions Barca managed to neutralize France's captain, who was often frustrated in his attempts up front.
The American midfielder had nothing short of a bittersweet start to her weekend.
Korbin Albert topped off her more-than-busy Thursday scoring an insane long-range goal in Paris Saint-Germain’s quarterfinal UEFA Women’s Champions League knockout tie.
The USWNT midfielder received the ball on the outskirts of the 18-yard box and hit an absolute bullet with her weak foot against BK Häcken to seal PSG’s qualification to the semi finals of the European tournament.
Korbin Albert goal for PSG in Women's Champions League vs. Häcken
NYON — Defending champions Manchester City will play record winners Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals while Barcelona take on Paris Saint-Germain after the draw was held at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon on Friday.
Champions League draw quarterfinals
Semi-finals
Kylian Mbappé had a sensational performance for Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday scoring both goals in a 2-1 victory against Real Sociedad. His first goal was so strong that Mbappé broke the net.
In the 15th minute the Frenchman found the tiniest bit of space in his opponent’s box and fired in an effort from an incredibly tight angle.
A look at the replay revealed that Mbappé breaks the net when the ball hits the netting.
Mbappé breaks the net vs. Real Sociedad
Ligue 1 looks to be getting a new league sponsorship deal as RMC Sport has reported the top French league is close to teaming up with McDonald’s.
The league’s current name is actually Ligue 1 Uber Eats. The food delivery service has had the sponsorship name since 2020 and the naming deal runs until the end of the 2023-24 season.
McDonald’s is reportedly set to ink a deal with Ligue 1 worth $65 million over the next three seasons.
The deal isn’t confirmed yet but has already generated quite the storm online.
Ligue 1 McDonald’s
After a two-month break the UEFA Champions League returned this week as the knockout stages kicked off. We at The18 are trying something new and we’re picking our favorites for the best Champions League goals of the week.
Of the four games played this week eight goals were scored. Let’s get into the list.
5. Kylian Mbappé attacks at the back post
France captain Kylian Mbappé has informed Paris Saint-Germain that he is leaving the club in July as a free agent seven years after joining them, The Athletic website reported on Thursday.
Mbappé, a member of France's 2018 World Cup-winning team, signed for PSG from Monaco in 2017 for 180 million euros ($194 million) to become the second most expensive player ever after Brazilian Neymar, who joined the French champions the same year for 222 million euros.
PARIS — Paris Saint-Germain look set to leave the Parc des Princes after the City confirmed the stadium was not for sale, club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said on Thursday.
"It's too easy to say now that the stadium is not for sale anymore. We know what we want, we wasted years to try and buy it. It's easier for us now, we know what we want. It's over for us. We want to move out of the Parc," Al-Khelaifi told reporters at a UEFA Congress.
PSG leaving Parc des Princes