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Live Commentary: Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 Barcelona - as it happened

Read how PSG snatched a last-gasp draw against Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
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Two of Europe's league leaders met in a standout Champions League quarter-final this evening.

Paris Saint-Germain welcomed Barcelona to the Parc des Princes and the much-hyped game didn't disappoint as four goals were shared in the French capital.

Read how the enthralling match unfolded in our minute-by-minute coverage below.


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Evening all! It's the first night of the Champions League quarter-finals tonight and what a pair of games we have in store.

Our focus here will be on Paris and the meeting between PSG and Barcelona. If you're also interested in the other last-eight match between Bayern Munich and Juventus, then open up Matt Law's commentary of that one by clicking here.

TEAM NEWS! The headline news from the Parc des Princes is that David Beckham starts for the hosts! Full lineups to follow...

PSG XI: Sirigu; Jallet, Silva, Alex, Maxwell; Matuidi, Beckham; Moura, Pastore, Lavezzi; Ibrahimovic

BARCA XI: Valdes; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi; Villa, Messi, Sanchez

Strong lineups from both managers then. Barca's front three is always quite hard to call, Lionel Messi is an ever-present but his two attacking partners are very rarely the same week in, week out. Tonight the world footballer of the year will be partnered by David Villa and Alexis Sanchez.

Further back, it's as expected for the visitors, with Javier Mascherano alongside Gerard Pique in the heart of defence.

For the home side, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is able to start after having his European ban reduced. The Swede will lead the line and be supported by Lucas Moura and Ezequiel Lavezzi.

In midfield Mr Beckham will play alongside Javier Pastore and Blaise Matuidi in the centre.

Enough of the lineups, let's take a look at how these two sides are getting on in their respective divisions. Both are top of the pile, with PSG seven clear in Ligue 1 while Barca are a hefty 13 ahead of Real Madrid in La Liga.

Just a quick mention of the two substitute benches tonight. Here they are:

PSG: Douchez, Sakho, Van der Wiel, Menez, Chantome, Verratti, Gameiro
Barca: Pinto, Bartra, Montoya, Fabregas, Alcantara, Song, Tello

Both sides have plenty of talent to bring on if things aren't going their way. For the hosts, Marco Verratti stands out. He is a young Italian having a wonderful season. The visitors can bring on the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song, Cristian Tello among others.

REFEREE WATCH: The officials tonight are from Germany and the man in charge is Wolfgang Stark.

Looking at how these two sides made it here tonight, PSG saw off Valencia 3-2 on aggregate while Barcelona miraculously overturned a 2-0 deficit from the first leg to knock out AC Milan.

Check out the in-play odds with William Hill

That night showed just how much resolve the Catalunyans have. Inspired by Messi, they levelled the tie before the break and then went on to see off the Italians who put in a great performance back in Milan.

At the weekend Messi became the first player to score in 19 straight league games by netting against Celta Vigo. Incredible from the little Argentine.

PSG and Barca actually met in the same stadium as tonight last summer in a pre-season friendly. The game ended 2-2 and that's the scoreline Liam Apicella has predicted in his match preview!

Barca are heavy favourites for the match tonight at 5/6 but the stats do not favour the visitors as PSG are unbeaten in 23 home games in Europe and have only lost once in nine home ties vs. Spanish opposition.

As us Premier League fans all know, there are no English teams left in the competition and in fact, Beckham is the only Englishman left! Who'd have thought that when the superstar made the switch to Paris?!

Although much of the focus will be on Becks, PSG's star man is Ibrahimovic. The big Swede has been in red-hot form for the French side this season and Barcelona full-back Dani Alves has admitted that he is a "big worry" for Barca.

PREDICTION! With 10 minutes until the off, it's time for my thoughts on the match.

Despite PSG's class, I can see Barca turning up tonight and I'm going for a 2-0 away win.


One boost for the visitors is the return to the dug-out of Tito Vilanova. Read more here.

Here come the two sides into the tunnel. PSG will wear their traditional navy while Barcelona are in their orange and yellow sunny combination. Some like it, but I think it's one of nastiest kits out there!

I will of course bring you any major incidents from happenings in Munich as and when they happen.

Nervous about the result? Want to 'Cash in your bet'? See how with William Hill.

There's also a quartet of matches in the npower Championship tonight. Keep up with all the live scores by opening up this page.

KICKOFF! Barca get us underway.

UPDATE: WOW! Bayern have scored after 20 seconds in Munich! David Alaba with the goal.

No goals early on in Paris and it's been a fairly even start. Barca, as expected, have seen much more of the ball.

Speedy Brazilian Lucas cleverly escapes the attentions of Busquets and Iniesta but the former trips him up to make sure he'll go no further. No card for the Spaniard, I wonder how lenient Mr Stark will be tonight?

OFF THE POST! Almost a wonderful start to the match for PSG as Lavezzi hits the inside of the post. He held the ball brilliantly in the area and managed to squeeze away from his marker before lifting it over Valdes but not past the post.

Barca try to respond as Alba swoops past on the overlap and he clips over a great cutback that just whizzes in front of Messi's head.

Xavi has a pop from long range but it's not the Spaniard's best effort as the ball swerves tamely over the crossbar.

Fabulous outside-of-the-boot pass from Lucas puts Lavezzi through on goal but unfortunately the Argentine was slightly offside. This has been a great opening 10 minutes.

First sign of Beckham's passing ability as Beckham clips a ball over the top that is then in turn flicked on to Moura. He is challenged by Mascherano and PSG have a corner that Beckham whips over. Alex gets his head to the ball but can't get a decent touch on it and it bounces out for a goal kick.

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Lucas's pace is really worrying Barca, reminds me of how Theo Walcott has scared them before. The Brazilian wins another free kick and Beckham's delivery is great but Lucas can't head goalwards. Ibrahimovic collects the loose ball and lays it back for Pastore who strikes it well but Valdes just about keeps it out.

CLOSE! Iniesta receives the ball left of centre on the edge of the area and looks for the far corner with a curler. Sirigu looks very worried but luckily for the Italian it bends just wide.

YELLOW! First booking of the match goes to Pique as he hacks down Ibrahimovic right on the edge of the area. Beckham territory?!

SAVE! Ibrahimovic takes it himself and drills it low to the keeper's side. Valdes shouldn't be beaten there and isn't as he parries it out.

Barca began the match well but it's been a rousing PSG display since the fifth minute. Beckham is playing the quarter-back role efficiently while Lucas really is playing very well.

It looks very dangerous for PSG as Messi has plenty of space in the area but he dilly-dallies for too long and Thiago Silva keeps his eye on the ball to dispossess the Argentinian.

CHANCE! Yet again it's Lucas running the show as he counters at a rapid pace and lays it in to Ibrahimovic. The Swede squares up Pique, already on a yellow remember, and moves it onto his left foot but drags his shot wide. Not his best effort.

PSG aren't giving Messi much time on the ball and are happy to play rough with the world's best player. Slo-mo cameras show that the Barca's number 10 has a bloody knee already!

Barca have had 68% of the possession so far but you'd have to say that the French side have looked just as dangerous, if not more. Will we have a goal before the break? 10 minutes until the interval.

GOAL! PSG 0-1 Barca (Messi)

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Oh my goodness this is one of the all-time wonder passes! Dani Alves swerves it into Messi with the outside of his boot and the Argentine volleys low into the far corner. Truly astonishing - both the finish and the pass.

SHOT! Messi wants another! He cuts in onto his left and curls a vicious effort towards the top corner. Sirigu has no chance of stopping it but luckily it zips just past the upright.

Just the one added minute at the end of the first half.

HALF-TIME: PSG 0-1 Barca

PSG won a free kick at the end but referee Stark blew his whistle before it could be taken. The French side did very little wrong but go in behind thanks to Barca brilliance.

If you've only just joined us and want a short recap of what was a mesmerising first half, read our half-time report by clicking here.

Goodness me, just seeing replays of that Alves pass again. The fact that he has seen the start of Messi's run and then carved it perfectly into his path truly is astounding. Pure brilliance.

In the other match it's still Bayern 1-0 Juventus after what is being reported as the sixth-fastest goal in Champions League history by Alaba. Our half-time report for that one is here.

We're hearing that Messi picked up a problem and he's had to go off! Hope for PSG perhaps? Fabregas is on in his place.

KICKOFF! We're back underway in the French capital. Can Barca, now Messi-less, hold on for a crucial away win?

Check out the in-play odds with William Hill

Beckham grimaces after a challenge in the middle but it looks like he'll be OK to continue. I'd be amazed if the veteran is able to see out 90 minutes, mind.

Matuidi with a very dangerous clearance back towards the centre of the pitch. Busquets is on hand to smash goalwards and he hits it well but Sirigu is right behind it and holds on.

PSG want a free kick right on the edge of the box as Matuidi is blocked off by Mascherano. The ball was well gone though and it would have been extremely harsh on Barca.

Yet again Thiago Silva's reading of the game is good enough to snuff out a Barca attack. The Brazilian has been mighty in the heart of PSG's defence tonight.

A raking cross to the back post is misjudged by Alves and Ibrahimovic has a chance to take it down and shoot but he strangely miscontrols. The Swede has been far from his best tonight.

Ibrahimovic tries to prove me wrong instantly as he flicks a savvy pass around the corner for the onrushing Matuidi but he's denied a shot by a last-ditch challenge. Still finely in the balance, this one.

But once again the Swede is disappointing as he loses the ball after some great work by Lucas to win it back. Surely he'll turn up sooner or later?

CHANCE! Matuidi sells Maxwell short and Alves has plenty of room to run into. He picks out Sanchez unmarked at the back post but the Chilean doesn't control instantly and takes too long to shoot.

UPDATE: Bayern go 2-0 up as Thomas Muller nets for the Germans. Looking very tough for Juve now.

PSG SUB: Lavezzi had faded out of the game since his bright start and he's replaced by Jeremy Menez.

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YELLOW! A wry smile from Beckham as he is shown a booking for lunging in on Sanchez. No choice for referee Stark there.

Alves lines up the resulting free kick and strikes it very well up and over the wall. He has Sirigu worried but the ball flies past the post.

PSG SUB: Becks's night is over as he is replaced by 20-year-old Marco Verratti. Look out for this one, he's got bags of talent.

Maxwell, playing against his former club, foxes the Barca defence by cutting inside but he goes for goal instead of crossing and that's easy for Valdes to save.

Alex sends Villa tumbling and Barca have a free kick in a very inviting position just left of centre.

Xavi looks to bend it over the wall but it takes a huge deflection of Alex's head and goes towards the opposite corner. Sirigu looks up glumly as if it's going in but fortunately for him it loops onto the roof the net.

YELLOW! Mascherano gets a caution for sliding in on Menez and PSG now have a free kick left of the area.

Menez swings it over and Lucas displays his great leap by rising up and it wins a corner. From the set piece two Barca men go down and PSG don't kick it out. Instead, Ibrahimovic has a great chance to score but mishits his volley and Valdes saves.

GOAL! PSG 1-1 Barca (Ibrahimovic)

He's had a very poor game but Zlatan has his goal. Another PSG set piece is swung in and Thiago Silva gets up but heads against the post. The ball drops for Ibrahimovic to stab home from under his feet though and wild celebrations ensue. The Barca players are incensed though and rightly they should be because the Swede was a good couple of yards offside.

SUBS: Just before the goal Kevin Gameiro came in for Pastore and now Barca make a chance as Cristian Tello replaces Villa.

BARCA SUB: Final change for the visitors as Marc Bartra comes on for Mascherano who appears to have picked up an injury.

YELLOW! Ibrahimovic is now booked for a late challenge on Alba. The lunge came shortly after he did brilliantly to win a header in front of two Barca players to release Gameiro. Unfortunately the substitute couldn't take it in his stride and Alves was able to clear.

PENALTY TO BARCA! Sirigu brings down Sanchez and is booked.

GOAL! PSG 1-2 Barca (Xavi pen.)

In Messi's absence it's Xavi who steps up and he calmly sends Sirigu the wrong way. Sanchez threw himself horribly to win the penalty but there was contact from the Italian stopper. Referee Stark took his time to make the decision but decided to award the spot kick.

FOUR minutes added on at the end. Can PSG salvage a draw? I can't see them winning at the Camp Nou!

GOAL! PSG 2-2 Barca (Matuidi)

WOW WOW WOW! PSG do snatch a last-gasp equaliser! A long ball is headed down by Ibrahimovic and Matuidi hits it goalwards. The ball takes a slight clip off Bartra and it's enough to unbalance Valdes who can only get a slight hand on it before the ball rolls agonisingly over the line. Incredible!

FULL-TIME: PSG 2-2 Barca

What a great end to a wonderful game of football. Barca will feel crushed but you have to say that's the least PSG deserved for their performance.

In the other match it finished Bayern 2-0 Juve. Read our match report, with full-size pictures, by clicking here.

In the other match it finished Bayern 2-0 Juve. Read our match report, with full-size pictures, by clicking here.

If you want our summary of the match in Paris then click here. There's a cracking picture of Zlatan celebrating.

Anyway, that's me about done. Thanks for joining Sports Mole this evening for a cracking game of football. Make sure you come back tomorrow for more Champions League action with us. We'll see you then.

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Paris Saint Germain's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates after scoring the opener on December 8, 2012
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid31246167204778
2Barcelona31217362342870
3GironaGirona31205663392465
4Atletico MadridAtletico31194859362361
5Athletic Bilbao31169651292257
6Real Sociedad311311745331250
7Valencia31138103432247
8Real BetisBetis31111283837145
9Villarreal31109124954-539
10Getafe31912103743-639
11Osasuna31116143644-839
12Las PalmasLas Palmas31107142935-637
13Sevilla31810133944-534
14AlavesAlaves3188152638-1232
15Mallorca31613122536-1131
16Rayo Vallecano31613122538-1331
17Celta Vigo31610153346-1328
18CadizCadiz31413142141-2025
19Granada3138203260-2817
20Almeria31111193062-3214


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