PSG: Sirigu; Jallet, Alex, Thiago Silva, Maxwell; Beckham (Verratti 70'), Matuidi; Lucas Moura, Lavezzi (Ménez 66'), Pastore (Gameiro 76'); Ibrahimovic. 4-2-3-1. Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Dani Alves, Piqué, Mascherano (Marc Bartra 83'), Jordi Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Alexis, Messi (Fàbregas 46'), Villa (Tello 80'). 4-3-3.
Goals:
0-1. 38. Messi. Controlled Alves high pass and fired
angled shot across Sirigu.
1-1. 80. Ibrahimovic. Turned shot in to net
after Thiago header came back of post.
1-2. 89. Xavi (penalty). After
Sirigu pulled down Alexis inside the penalty area.
2-2. 95. Matuidi. Drove
low shot past Valdés after Ibrahimovic headed ball back.
A last gasp goal by Matuidi saved a 2-2 draw for Paris Saint Germain against Barcelona, although after scoring twice away from home the Spanish side must still be favourites to go through in next week's second leg. Tito Vilanova was back in charge for the first time since returning from cancer treatment in New York, and apart from the injured Puyol and Pedro he was able to put out a full strength side.
There were a few nervous moments for the visitors, especially when Busquets tackled Lavezzi only to see the ball come back off the post, and Valdés had to be on his toes to keep out Pastore and Ibrahimovic, who had been let off a ban by UEFA only a few days ago. Iniesta went close a couple of times after that, and with seven minutes to go to the break Alves lobbed the ball over the top of the defence, and Messi was there to collect the pass and fire an angled shot across the keeper.
The Argentiniain superstar limped off at half time however, and with ten minutes left on the clock Ibrahimovic levelled the scores from a clearly offside position after Thiago Silva headed a free kick against the post. Xavi restored the lead with two minutes to go from the penalty spot after the keeper brought down Alexis in the area, but with the game in the fifth minute of injury time Ibrahimovic chested back a long ball in to the area, and Matuidi fired in a shot which took a slight deflection off a defender to wrong-foot Valdés.