Liverpool defeated PSG as 10-man Barcelona edged Benfica
PSG totally outclassed Liverpool, but Harvey Elliot scored from the only shot on target late in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st leg. Meanwhile, 10-man Barcelona beat Benfica thanks to Raphinha’s quick finish and stunning Sczcesny’s performance.
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PSG Fall to Liverpool in a Narrow Defeat
In a stunning first-leg clash of the Champions League round of 16, PSG suffered an unexpected 0-1 loss at home to Liverpool at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
Despite controlling over 70% of the possession and taking 27 shots, the French side managed just one shot on target—the one only and winning goal coming late in the game. In the 87th minute, a long ball from Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker set off a swift counterattack, and 21-year-old midfielder Harvey Elliot, who had entered the match just 40 seconds earlier, capitalized by flicking a shot past PSG keeper Donnarumma.
Head coach Luis Enrique was left fuming, claiming that Liverpool played the worst game he had ever seen, while also noting that PSG’s new signing, Kvaratskhelia, had a goal disallowed for offside and a controversial incident involving Bradley Barcola went unpunished despite VAR review.
Alisson, who made nine crucial saves throughout the match, hailed the performance as one of the best of his career, with Elliot later praising him as indispensable to Liverpool’s success. The return leg will be held at Anfield, where PSG must contend with one of the best home records in European football.
10-man Barcelona Overcome Benfica in a Dramatic Encounter
On the other side of Europe, Barcelona managed to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Benfica on Portuguese soil, despite being reduced to 10 men after Curbasi received a straight red card in the first half. The match at the Estádio da Luz saw Benfica control 52% of the possession and take 26 shots (with eight on target), compared to Barcelona’s 48% and 10 shots (5 on target).
The breakthrough came in the 61st minute when Brazilian forward Raphinha capitalized with a powerful long-range strike that beat Otamendi after a misdirected pass by Antonio Silva.
Benfica’s pressure mounted, and they were awarded a penalty in the 82nd minute following a collision between Szczesny and Bellotti; however, VAR overturned the decision due to an earlier infraction by the home side.
With goalkeeper Szczesny delivering eight crucial saves to keep his side in the match, Barcelona held on for a vital win. This result gives Barca a significant advantage ahead of the return leg scheduled for March 11 in Spain.
Bayern Dominate and Inter Milan Secure Revenge
In other Champions League round of 16 first legs, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan delivered commanding performances elsewhere.
Bayern Munich overwhelmed Bayer Leverkusen with a 3-0 victory, with striker Harry Kane netting a brace to propel his team to victory—ending a six-match winless run against a side managed by Xabi Alonso.
Inter Milan avenged their previous playoff exit in a tale of ‘revenge’ as Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez combined to power a 2-0 win over Feyenoord in the Netherlands.
Feyenoord, who had eliminated AC Milan in the playoff round, could not replicate their earlier success in this high-stakes encounter.
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