Paris Saint-Germain welcomed Barcelona to Paris for the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash on Tuesday night.
Goals from Angel di Maria and Julian Draxler saw the home side take a deserved 2-0 lead into the interval.
Di Maria then scored a third for PSG early in the second period as Barcelona were shocked once again, before Edinson Cavani made it 4-0 to the French champions in the 72nd minute.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
6.46pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage returns from the French capital as Paris Saint-Germain welcome Barcelona for the first leg of their last-16 tie. It is one of the standout fixtures at this stage of the competition and both teams will fancy their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals. Stay tuned for all of the action from the first leg in Paris - it should be a cracking night of action!
6.49pmTonight will be the 10th meeting between PSG and Barcelona in European competition. Barcelona lead the head-to-head four wins to PSG's two, while the remaining three fixtures have finished level. Their last meeting came at the quarter-final stage of the 2014-15 campaign and it was the Spanish giants that triumphed 5-1 on aggregate – including a 3-1 success in this very stadium.
6.52pmBarcelona also knocked PSG out at the quarter-final stage of the 2012-13 season, but PSG recorded a 3-2 home win over Barcelona during the group stage of the 2014-15 campaign. The only time that PSG have eliminated the Spanish giants in the Champions League, however, was during the 1994-95 season, when they won 3-2 on aggregate at the quarter-final stage.
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6.55pmWorryingly for PSG, Barcelona have won each of the last three meetings between the two teams – scoring eight times in the process. PSG have also never kept a clean sheet against Barcelona and with away goals so important, that is a concern ahead of this match. Right, enough of that for now, let's have a look at the two XIs that will start this European tie in France. Some interesting news...
6.58pmTEAMS!
PSG: Trapp; Meunier, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Kurzawa; Verratti, Rabiot, Matuidi; Draxler, Cavani, Di Maria
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Umtiti, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Gomes; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
7.02pmPSG are without the services of experienced centre-back Thiago Silva due to a calf problem, which means that 21-year-old Presnel Kimpembe comes in for his Champions League debut. Thiago Motta also misses out for the hosts through suspension, which has opened up a spot in midfield for Adrien Rabiot. Elsewhere, it is the team that was expected as leading scorer Edinson Cavani is joined by Angel di Maria and Julian Draxler in the final third. Blaise Matuidi skippers the French side tonight.
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7.05pmAs for Barcelona, Javier Mascherano once again misses out with a hamstring injury, but Gerard Pique is fit to return and starts alongside Samuel Umtiti in central defence. Andres Iniesta also makes his first start for over a month after recovering from a knee injury, while Andre Gomes is preferred to Ivan Rakitic in central midfield. Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez all start for the visitors.
7.08pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Paris. I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's start with PSG. The French side have a less-than-impressive record against Barcelona, but they have actually only lost one of their last 42 home games in European competition – winning 26 times in the process.
7.12pmPSG have gone past the last-16 stage in each of their previous four Champions League campaigns, but have always been knocked out in the quarter-finals. Unai Emery's side comfortably qualified for the knockout stage this season, but they relinquished first position in Group A to Arsenal, who drew Bayern Munich, after a surprise 2-2 draw at home to Ludogorets in their final group-stage fixture.
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7.15pmThree wins and three draws saw PSG go through Group A unbeaten, but they drew both games against Arsenal, who topped the group and were drawn against Bayern Munich in the round of 16. PSG are still trying to make that next step in this competition and victory over Barcelona would certainly aid suggestions that the French giants are ready to seriously challenge for the title.
7.18pmPSG's home record against Spanish opposition is pretty impressive – winning six of their 13 fixtures and only losing twice. That said, they are without a win in the last five such encounters, both home and away. You sense that Unai Emery would take a draw tonight, especially a 0-0, which would arguably leave PSG in a strong position ahead of the second leg at Camp Nou next month.
7.22pmPSG are also going well in Ligue 1 this season – winning 17 of their 25 matches, but they are actually second in the division, three points behind leaders AS Monaco, who have been absolutely brilliant this term. Emery's side will enter this match off the back of three straight Ligue 1 victories, meanwhile, the last of which was a 3-0 victory away to Bordeaux on Friday night.
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7.25pmAs for Barcelona, the Spanish champions will enter this match off the back of a thumping 6-0 win at Alaves in La Liga on Saturday afternoon. Like PSG, Barcelona are second in their domestic table, with Luis Enrique's side trailing leaders Real Madrid, who still have two games in hand, by one point. Barcelona are still on for the treble and will play the Copa del Rey final against Alaves in May.
7.28pmIn terms of this competition, Barcelona breezed into the knockout round after topping Group C with 15 points – winning five of their six matches to finish six clear of Manchester City. As a result, the Spanish giants have reached the knockout stage of this competition in each of their last 15 attempts.
7.32pmWhat's more, Barcelona are bidding to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for a record 10th season. Last term, they lost out in the quarter-finals to La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid, but they had thumped Arsenal 5-1 in the round of 16. There is a feeling that Luis Enrique's side have a point to prove this season after their quarter-final elimination last time out.
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7.35pmBarcelona have also won nine of their last 11 games in the knockout stage of the Champions League, while they have only lost on one of their last six visits to France – winning twice in the process. Barcelona have also only lost one of their last 22 games in all competitions and will be confident of securing a positive result tonight ahead of the reverse match at the start of next month.
7.38pmPREDICTION! I fancy a score draw in Paris tonight. Desmond (2-2). PSG are missing a couple of key players in the shape of Silva and Motta, but they still have a team full of talent and experience. As for Barcelona, Messi, Suarez and Neymar will be looking to put on a show. Draw for me in this one.
7.42pmHere we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes of action in Paris. It has all the makings of a wonderful night of football, let's hope that the actual game lives up to the pre-game billing. Time for the handshakes and Champions League anthem ahead of kickoff!
0 minKICKOFF! PSG kick things off in Paris...
2 min... it must be said that the atmosphere inside the stadium is absolutely wonderful. PSG are in their home kit tonight, while Barcelona play in green. It has been a fast start from the hosts as Rabiot bursts through midfield after a loose ball from Busquets, but Umtiti is on hand to challenge.
3 minRabiot has been very busy in the early moments of this match as he continues to pick up possession and pick passes in central positions. Cavani is the target for a Di Maria pass after another decent move, but Ter Stegen is on hand to claim. Barcelona yet to really settle here.
3 minBOOKING! Rabiot (PSG) is booked for chopping Neymar to the deck. Rabiot has been full of beans in the opening minutes and now he has a yellow card for his troubles!
5 minGood goalkeeping from Ter Stegen as the Barcelona stopper comes out to confront Matuidi after Di Maria had released a pass behind the Barcelona defence. Plenty happening at the moment!
6 minCHANCE! Super chance for PSG to make the breakthrough as Di Maria finds Cavani inside the Barcelona box, but Roberto is on hand to make a goal-saving challenge.
8 minBarcelona have not really settled in this match as PSG continue to force the issue in forward positions. Cavani's movement is causing all sorts of problems, while Di Maria and Matuidi are seeing plenty of the ball. Add Draxler into the equation and there are a lot of problems for the visitors.
10 minMatuidi is a touch fortunate to escape a booking after a really late challenge on Busquets. PSG are not allowing Barcelona any time on the ball at the moment. It is a fascinating tactical battle here.
11 minCHANCES! More good work from PSG as the home side cut through Barcelona once again. Matuidi has the first chance inside the Barcelona box, but Ter Stegen is on hand to make a super save, and Di Maria's strike is then blocked by Pique. Barcelona are wobbling in Paris.
14 minWe have not seen too much from the likes of Messi, Suarez and Neymar in the opening 14 minutes of this match. Instead, it has been PSG very much forcing the issue in advanced areas here.
16 minBarcelona have done well to survive this period without conceding a goal, but the visitors are struggling to make their mark down the other end. Spurred on by a vibrant home crowd, PSG are very much in control of this first leg. Di Maria is absolutely everywhere for the French side tonight.
17 minNeymar is not moving very well at the moment after having his foot stood on!
17 minPSG have a free kick in a very dangerous area as Umtiti chops Draxler to the deck...
18 min... GOAL! PSG 1-0 Barcelona (Di Maria)
19 minPSG make the breakthrough in the 18th minute of this match as Di Maria curls a wonderful free kick into the top corner. Ter Stegen did not move and the home side deservedly lead in Paris.
22 minBarcelona need to wake up. Plain and simple. The away side just have not started this match and if they are not careful, PSG will blow them away in the first leg. There will be no panic from Barcelona at this stage, but they still have a concern over Neymar as the Brazilian goes off the field for treatment.
23 minTer Stegen has to drop down and keep out a powerful strike from Cavani.
25 minFirst sign of panic inside the PSG box sees Trapp hack the ball behind for a corner, but the home side deal with the danger and can break down-field once again. Signs of Barcelona life though.
26 minPatient probing from Barcelona in the last few minutes and there is no question that the goal has brought a reaction from the Spanish giants. This time Barcelona have a free kick, although it is quite far out and it will take something special to beat the PSG goalkeeper from this area...
26 min... Messi has a go, but his effort is straight into the wall.
28 minCHANCE! Super chance for Barcelona to level as Neymar bursts through the heart of the PSG defence before sliding a pass into Gomes, but the midfielder cannot beat Trapp!
31 minLittle under 15 minutes of the first period remaining in Paris and PSG lead courtesy of a wonderful free kick from Di Maria. Barcelona have improved since falling behind, but the visitors are still vulnerable at the back, especially with Cavani and his brilliant movement in the final third.
33 minPass, pass, pass from Barcelona as they look to work some space in the final third, but PSG have been pretty tight at the back. Neymar has been the pick of the Barcelona forward players so far, with Messi and Suarez yet to ignite. I still fancy this one to end all square on the night.
33 minBOOKING! Gomes (Barcelona) is booked for a foul on Draxler.
34 minSAVE! Ter Stegen has to turn a Draxler effort wide of the post after Roberto had once again been burned by the German international. PSG are such a threat on the counter-attack.
36 minLittle under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and it must be said that this match has absolutely flown past. PSG are good value their lead, but Barcelona are improving in Paris.
39 minWe have not seen an awful lot from Suarez in this first period, but you just know that the centre-forward will pop up at some point, either with a decisive pass or a goal. He will be involved before the night is out, of that I am certain. Not an awful lot to report in the last couple of minutes here.
40 minGOAL! PSG 2-0 Barcelona (Draxler)
41 minOh my word! PSG double their lead in Paris as Draxler collects a super pass from Verratti before smashing his effort into the far corner. Messi lost possession in midfield and PSG lead 2-0 here!
43 minBarcelona are absolutely shell-shocked at the moment. Luis Enrique looks lost on the touchline as his team concede possession once again. PSG have been utterly brilliant in this first period.
45 minBarcelona just cannot get hold of Draxler in this match. Arsenal fans will be watching this and thinking 'we might have signed this man'. Draxler and Di Maria have been sensational here.
45 min+1HALF-TIME: PSG 2-0 Barcelona
8.31pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with PSG leading Barcelona 2-0 courtesy of goals from Di Maria and Draxler. There is no question that the home side deserve their advantage as well, with Barcelona being dominated from start to finish. This last-16 tie is still far from over, but Barcelona will not want to take a 2-0 deficit into the second leg in Spain next month.
8.36pmBENCH WATCH! PSG were not exactly short of attacking options in that first period, but Lucas and Ben Arfa are among those available if Emery wishes to alter proceedings in the second 45 minutes. As for Barcelona, something has to change and Enrique has the likes of Rakitic, Denis Suarez, Rafinha and Paco Alcacer in reserve. Rakitic is the likeliest to appear off the bench tonight.
8.41pmSTATISTICS! Barcelona shaded the possession in Paris with 57%, but they only managed one shot on target - Gomes being denied by Trapp. As for PSG, the home side hit the target with seven of their 11 first-half attempts. Two bookings to report tonight - Rabiot (3 min) and Gomes (33 min).
46 minRESTART! Barcelona resume the action in Paris...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will already have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
48 minRabiot has the chance to pick out Marquinhos inside the Barcelona box, but the cross from the Frenchman is just too strong and Barcelona escape another dangerous moment here.
50 minVerratti has been absolutely different class for PSG tonight. Barcelona are said to be in the market for the Italian international, and he seems a perfect fit for their midfield. That said, PSG will fight tooth and nail to keep the genius. It is the home side that continue to force the issue as Cavani heads over.
53 minSuarez comes deep to get involved for Barcelona, but the striker cannot lay-off a simple pass and PSG can clear their lines once again. For all PSG's brilliance tonight, one for Barcelona at this stage would place the Spanish outfit in a decent position ahead of the second leg at Camp Nou next month.
55 minYou wonder how long Luis Enrique will leave it before he decides to make a change here. Gomes has been poor for Barcelona tonight, while Roberto is really struggling up against Draxler on the left.
55 minGOAL! PSG 3-0 Barcelona (Di Maria)
56 minOh my word! PSG lead 3-0! And it is sensational from Di Maria as the Argentine finds a yard of space on the edge of the box before curling one into the far corner. What a wonderful goal.
58 minBARCELONA SUB! Rafinha replaces Gomes in the Barcelona midfield.
61 minMessi is bundled off the ball just outside the PSG box, but the referee is not interested. More frustration for Barcelona! PSG are preparing to make their first change of the match here.
62 minPSG SUB! Lucas replaces Di Maria for the home side.
63 minBOOKING! Busquets (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Verratti.
65 minLittle over 25 minutes of this first leg remaining and Barcelona really need to score if they are to stand a chance of turning this tie around on home soil. PSG, meanwhile, will be looking for a fourth, which would surely, surely put this tie to bed. What a night it has been for the French outfit.
67 minCHANCE! Lucas breaks through for PSG and has options left and right, but the attacker shoots and his effort is straight at the goalkeeper. Should have done much better there!
68 minVerratti has a problem for PSG, and it looks like cramp!
70 minPSG SUB! Nkunku replaces Verratti, who limps off the field.
71 minBarcelona just cannot deal with PSG's threat in the final third and it appears that the French champions are going to score every time they break forward. Down the other end, Messi tries to find Neymar with a clever pass, but Trapp is on hand to collect. Still 3-0 to the home side.
71 minGOAL! PSG 4-0 Barcelona (Cavani)
72 minWhat an amazing night in Paris. PSG have their fourth of the night and Cavani is on the scoresheet as the club's leading scorer this season collects a super pass from Meunier before smashing the ball past Ter Stegen. The defending from Barcelona was, once again, absolutely awful here.
74 minBOOKING! Rafinha (Barcelona) is booked for a foul on Nkunku.
76 minLittle under 15 minutes of football remaining in Paris and PSG are threatening to score a fifth goal as they continue to break forward. Barcelona have been absolutely awful tonight. Awful.
78 minBit of possession for Barcelona in the last few minutes, but they are not really going anywhere with it. PSG are comfortable as they sit deep and wait for their next chance to counter-attack.
80 minCHANCE! Neymar fires wide of the PSG post after being set-up by Alba. Much better from Barcelona, but moments like that have been few and far between in tonight's match.
82 minBarcelona are the team on the front foot as things stand, but they have still only managed one shot on target, which is incredible. PSG are fill value for their four-goal lead at this stage of the match.
84 minPOST! Barcelona come close to an away goal as Umtiti rises inside the PSG box, but the centre-back's header hits the post! What a chance to get on the scoresheet tonight.
86 minNeymar has been the pick of Barcelona's players tonight, but the Brazilian has been let down by his teammates and Barcelona's Champions League journey might well be over this season.
87 minPSG SUB! Pastore replaces Draxler for the home side.
89 minBarcelona have not wanted it enough tonight. Messi has been very disappointing, while Luis Suarez has not offered anywhere near enough in the final third. Defensively, they have been just awful.
90 min+1Neymar has the chance to threaten from a free kick outside the PSG box, but the Brazilian's effort is straight into the stands. That just about sums up the away side's night in Paris.
90 min+2We are into the second of four additional minutes here.
90 min+3Possession football for Barcelona as we enter the final stages of this match.
90 min+4Handball shout from Neymar, but the referee is not interested and PSG break away once again. That should be just about that for this match. What a night for these PSG supporters.
90 min+5FULL-TIME: PSG 4-0 Barcelona
9.37pmSo there we have it. What a night! PSG record a 4-0 win over Barcelona in the first leg of their last-16 clash in the Champions League. It is a quite staggering night for the French champions, who are fully deserving of this result. Thanks for joining us once again for the action. Until next time!
