By Felix Durumbah,and bbc.com reports
Different tales of grit, self-belief, skill and motivation marked the first batch of second leg Round of 16 matches of the UEFA Champions League concluded tonight, Tuesday, March 11.
When hostilities ended, Barcelona, Bayern, PSG, and Inter qualified for the Quarter-Final of the prestigious, money-spinning competition, watched by hundreds of millions around the world.
Liverpool 0 PSG 1 (after penalties 1-4)
In what turned out to be the most thrilling encounter, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) knocked out English Premiership-topping lords, Liverpool, at the latter’s feared Anfield base, via a tricky penalty shootout after over 120 minutes of back-and-forth football.
Liverpool’s Champions League ambitions were ended after they lost on penalties to an outstanding Paris St-Germain side after a night of drama at Anfield.
PSG, needing to claw back a 1-0 deficit from the first leg at home, demonstrated how they have matured under coach Luis Enrique as they knocked out a Liverpool side touted as favourites to win the tournament.
Ousmane Dembele’s early goal provided the platform for the turnaround, with Liverpool unable to break the French visitors down, while PSG were a constant threat.
PSG’s victory over two legs was thoroughly deserved, with keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma emerging as their hero in the shootout, saving from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones before Desire Doue hammered home the winning spot-kick in front of joyous fans.
Liverpool made a lightning fast start in an attempt to extend that first-leg advantage, with Mohamed Salah twice coming close with early effort in front of the Kop, which was in expectant mood.
With Liverpool making the running, there was always the chance PSG’s outstanding strikeforce could punish them on the counter and so it proved after only 12 minutes – with a large helping hand from the home defence.
Bradley Barcola’s cross was routine, but a communication breakdown between Alisson and Ibrahima Konate proved costly, the defender knocking the ball out of the keeper’s reach for Dembele to pounce from almost on the goal-line.
PSG had other opportunities but could not cash in, Alisson rushing out to save at the feet of Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia firing off target when well placed.
Liverpool mounted sustained pressure after the break but struggled to break down PSG’s resilient rearguard, although it took a fine clawing save from Donnarumma to keep out Luis Diaz’s header, while substitute Jarell Quansah struck the post and Dominik Szoboszlai had an effort ruled out for offside.
PSG were by far the better side in extra time, with Alisson making a magnificent save from Dembele before Liverpool’s fate was sealed on penalties.
Liverpool players slumped to the turf in disappointment as the fates and fortunes of the Champions League were illustrated in this thrilling last-16 tie that provoked all the emotions on a classic European night at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s side have barely broken stride as they topped the Champions League table and raced 15 points clear in the Premier League – but this is the biggest setback Liverpool and their Dutch coach have suffered this season.
Ironically, Liverpool played much better in defeat at Anfield then they did when winning in the Parc des Princes in the first leg, but that was no consolation as this time luck did not smile on them as they were denied by the woodwork and then on penalties, when Donnarumma’s expertise came to the fore.
And most of all, they were frustrated by a top-class PSG side who are shaping up as potential Champions League winners.
Anfield provided its usual thunderous atmosphere but Liverpool could not quite deliver, looking leggy and second best in the added 30 minutes.
Liverpool will need to recover swiftly, with the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley on Sunday, but this was a defeat that will hurt deeply as they would have had Champions League expectations far beyond the last 16.
PSG show class to leave Anfield crestfallen
PSG’s fearless approach in the usual cauldron of European night at Anfield demonstrates how the transition from the era of signing superstars to a more considered approach is reaping its reward.
Luis Enrique’s side could barely believe they lost the first leg in Paris after overpowering Liverpool until Harvey Elliott’s late goal. There was no way they were going to dominate to such an extent here but they refused to take a backward step in search of the result that would take them through.
PSG eventually made their way through on penalties, but Liverpool followed Manchester City in feeling the growing power of side that is shaping up as a serious Champions League force.
The so-called “Bling Bling” era of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar is in the past, replaced by a younger, more cohesive team that will be a huge threat to anyone they face.
Dembele is finally fulfilling all his potential while the signing of Georgia winger Kvaratskhelia gives PSG an added attacking dimension.
And in Donnarumma, they had a keeper who repeated his penalty shootout heroics of the Euro 2020 final for Italy against England at Wembley to send Liverpool out.
He had a mixed night, and was at fault for Elliott’s goal in the first leg – but here he was the hero as PSG secured a landmark win.
Yamal, Raphinha Star As Barcelona Breeze Into Last 8 In Style (Barcelona 3 Benfica 1; agg: 4-1)
Teenager Lamine Yamal was once again the star of the show as Barcelona beat Benfica to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The 17-year-old provided a brilliant assist for Raphinha to open the scoring before topping that with a stunning strike to put Barca 2-1 ahead on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.
Nicolas Otamendi’s excellent header had cancelled out Raphinha’s opener but Benfica’s hopes were ended by Yamal’s brilliance, before Raphinha struck again with a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
There was confusion over whether Raphinha’s second initially stood, as play appeared to be pulled back for a foul by Otamendi on the edge of the box.
But after a check by the video assistant referee (VAR) the goal was confirmed, and Otamendi’s yellow card rescinded.
While Yamal caught the eye with his brilliant pieces of play, Raphinha also deserves plaudits as his double means he has contributed to 16 goals in the Champions League this season.
Only Lionel Messi (14 goals, five assists in 2011-12) has had a hand in more goals in a single season for Barcelona in the competition than Raphinha this season (11 goals, five assists).
Barca could have won by an even bigger margin but Frenkie de Jong missed a golden chance to add a fourth on the night, firing wide from close range after a lovely move.
Hansi Flick’s side will face Borussia Dortmund or Lille in the quarter-finals.
Yamal continues to break records
It is hard to downplay just what a star Barcelona have in Yamal.
The youngster lit up the European Championship in Germany last summer as he helped Spain win the tournament, and has only got better since then.
His goal and assist on Tuesday night means he has contributed to 28 goals this season, but it is not just about the raw numbers – it is the quality of his play as well.
The teenager’s assist for the opener was a wonderful flick through the defence to the far post for Raphinha to volley in, and then his goal displayed brilliant technique as he bent an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box beyond the reach of the keeper.
Yamal is now approaching 60 goals and assists for club and country – an incredible tally for someone his age.
His impact against Benfica also meant he made history as, at 17 years and 241 days, he became the youngest player to both score and assist a goal in a Champions League match.
Kane Breaks Record As Bayern See Off Leverkusen (Leverkusen 0 Bayern 2; agg: 0-5)
Harry Kane made history as Bayern Munich confirmed their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with victory against Bayer Leverkusen.
The striker’s close-range finish in the 52nd minute was his 10th in Europe this season, more than any other English player has scored in a single campaign in the competition’s history.
Bayern came into the second-leg tie with a 3-0 lead following a commanding performance at home last week, and were again the better side in Leverkusen.
Vincent Kompany’s men posed the greater threat in the first half, with Michael Olise and Kingsley Coman both firing narrowly wide.
Leverkusen needed to come out and attack after the break, but it was Bayern who put the tie beyond doubt when Patrik Schick’s attempted clearance of a Joshua Kimmich free-kick fell straight at the feet of Kane who bundled home from a few yards out.
With their star man Florian Wirtz ruled out with an ankle ligament injury, the hosts lacked invention and impact in the attacking third.
Xabi Alonso’s side were looking to become only the fifth side in Champions League history to overturn a three-goal first leg deficit, yet it took them 65 minutes to register a shot on target.
Jeremie Frimpong forced Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig into a smart low stop, before Schick headed straight at the visiting stopper moments later
Leverkusen’s desperation left more space for Bayern to exploit and Alphonso Davies took full advantage by converting Kane’s cross from close range in the 71st minute.
The England captain then spurned a good chance to add a third when he placed wide under little pressure, before he rattled the crossbar with a snap-shot on the turn. Jamal Musiala also struck the post from a tight angle with 10 minutes left after being sent away by Serge Gnabry’s pass.
Bayern will face Inter Milan in the quarter-finals after the Serie A champions defeated Feyenoord. The first leg will take place on 7/8 April with the second leg a week later.
Bayern now contenders after bad start
Despite not always convincing this season, Bayern now have to be considered among the favourites to win the Champions League.
Kompany took charge last summer of a team that had failed to win silverware for the first time in a decade and, after two defeats in their first three European games, things looked a little bleak.
Losses to Aston Villa and Barcelona were followed by a 3-0 upset at Feyenoord, before Bayern scraped past Celtic in the play-off round last month.
Yet Kompany’s men – eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga – eliminated defending German champions Leverkusen without really having to break sweat and seal a 35th appearance in the quarter-final of Europe’s elite club contest – four shy of Real Madrid’s record mark.
While there remains questions about their defence, especially now that veteran keeper Manuel Neuer is out for for the foreseeable future with a calf injury, few teams can match their firepower at the other end of the pitch.
Kane has followed up a record-breaking debut season in Bavaria with 32 goals in 36 games in all competitions, and the 31-year-old is in the running to top the Champions League scoring charts for a second successive campaign.
Musiala was also excellent playing just behind the Englishman, while Olise and Coman impressed on the wings and Leon Goretzka’s revival continued in central midfield.
“To beat this team 5-0 [on aggregate] shows the type of team we are and the path we are on,” said Kane.
“It’s never easy to start with a 3-0 lead, but the intensity we showed, we had the beter chances, we knew the game would open up in second half and we took our chances.
“We try not to listen to the noise too much, we know what we’re capable of. This will only give us confidence performing against a top side.”
With Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund or Lille waiting in the semi-finals should Bayern get past Inter, the Munich outfit will feel they have a great chance to reach the final of the competition for the first time since 2020 – a showpiece that will be held at their own Allianz Arena.
Inter Overcome Feyenoord (Inter 2 Feyenoord 1; agg: 4-1)
Inter Milan reached the Champions League quarter-finals with victory over Feyenoord at San Siro Stadium.
Marcus Thuram jinked into the box and fired into the top corner as Inter went 1-0 up on the night and 3-0 ahead on aggregate.
Hakan Calhanoglu was penalised for clattering into the back of Jakub Moder and the former Brighton midfielder scored from the spot to give Feyenoord hope.
The Turkey international made up for his error after the break, converting a penalty after Thomas Beelen fouled Mehdi Taremi in the box.
Thuram fired a shot narrowly over the crossbar as he tried to increase Inter’s lead in the absence of captain Lautaro Martinez who was on the bench.
Simone Inzaghi’s side will face Bayern Munich in April as they continue their quest to reach a second Champions League final in three seasons.
The Dutch side posed the occasional threat to Inter but the Serie A leaders were largely comfortable on the night.
Yann Sommer dived low to his left to palm Hugo Bueno’s long-range effort away and Givairo Read had a shot blocked as Feyenoord had 14 attempts on goal but only made one count.
Thuram, Calhanoglu prove their worth for Inter
For the first time in his career, Thuram scored in successive Champions League games after netting in the first leg.
He becomes just the second Inter player to score in both legs of a Champions League last-tie after Dejan Stankovic against Ajax in 2005-06.
The only blemish on his night was a yellow card for simulation after going down in the box.
In his last act in the tie, the France striker could have added to his tally as he thrashed a shot off the crossbar after gliding past three Feyenoord defenders.
After giving away the penalty, through which Inter conceded just their second goal in this season’s competition, Calhanoglu scored one of his own, becoming the first Turkish player in Champions League history to both score and assist 10 goals.
