Barcelona have cruised into the semi-finals of the Champions League after a Neymar double secured a 2-0 win on the night against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their quarter-final at Camp Nou, completing a comfortable 5-1 victory on aggregate.
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The visitors, chasing a two-goal deficit, got off on the wrong foot when David Luiz was booked just three minutes in for a challenge on Ivan Rakitic.
Luis Enrique's charges were rampant in the early stages and took the lead in the 14th minute when Andres Iniesta skilfully beat three opposition players before playing in Neymar, who then skinned Luiz, went round Salvatore Sirigu and slotted in.
PSG could have been level three minutes later as Blaise Matuidi's deft back-heel found Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who rifled a shot into the bottom corner of the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Nevertheless Barca were clicking together and doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark thanks to Neymar getting ahead of Luiz and heading home Dani Alves's cross to all but kill off PSG's hopes of progressing.
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With the second half nothing more than a formality, the Blaugrana took their foot off the gas, although Lionel Messi attempted an audacious chip in the 51st minute that Sirigu had covered.
It could be argued that the hosts were getting complacent as Pique's miscued clearance just before the hour gave Marco Verratti plenty of time and space to fire from the edge of the box, but he dragged his effort wide.
PSG continued to push forward but ultimately they were unable to bag even a consolation as Barcelona comfortably saw the game out to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the seventh time in eight years.
Giuseppe Labellarte
