X reacts as Raphinha inspires thriling Barcelona victory over PSG

Raphinha's brace inspired Barcelona to an impressive 3-2 victory at Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Much was made of the off-field rivalry that has brewed between these two clubs before kick-off, and the sides went about replicating some of their classics of the recent past on the pitch as Barca edged a topsy-turvy affair in the French capital.

Incessant Barcelona updaters were keen to give supporters an early fright when it was reported that chief creator Ilkay Gundogan exited the warm-up early. The panic was intense but brief, as it was quickly established that Gundo merely needed the toilet.

With their heart rates returning to a semi-normal level, Barcelona fans then tucked in to enjoy their side's first Champions League quarter-final since 2020. There was particular excitement surrounding 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi, who was erroneously projected to see plenty of Kylian Mbappe at the Parc des Princes.

The sense of familiarity between the two managers was supposed to facilitate a cagey, edgy affair, but there was plenty of space to be exploited by both sides in the opening 45 minutes. Some of the duels were riveting.

Lamine Yamal has been the name on the tip of everybody's tongues since his emergence, but he encountered a formidable foe in Nuno Mendes on Wednesday night. The Portuguese left-back, who's only recently returned from a long-term injury, was particularly impressive down his flank.

Mendes was one of few standouts for the hosts, however, with Barcelona defending superbly in transition and when PSG enjoyed spells of sustained pressure in and around their box. Xavi's side had the better of the first-half chances - with Gianluigi Donnarumma an unwanted first-half protagonist - and they took a deserved lead through Raphinha before the break.

A fairly insipid first-half display would've doubtlessly concerned Enrique, who changed tack by bringing on Bradley Barcola for the second half. By the 51st minute, they were 2-1 up. How about that for hairdryer treatment?

Former Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele crashed home the equaliser - followed by a celebration - before Vitinha coolly slotted home his first-ever Champions League goal to hand PSG the lead from out of absolutely nowhere.

Les Parisien's blitz left Barca on the ropes, but the visitors settled and started to assert themselves once more. The bonkers start to the second half culminated with Raphinha drawing the Catalans level with a wonderfully taken volley from the returning Pedri's sublime lofted pass.

There was little room for respite after that frantic period, with both teams aiming to head into the return leg with the advantage. Ronald Araujo was forced to deny Barcola after he broke in behind before Dembele struck the post with a left-footed drive.

Barca continued to offer a threat in transition going the over way, and a dangerous break which forced a corner then lead to the visitors' third. Another Xavi sub made a huge impact as birthday boy Andreas Christensen headed home with his first touch!

With that, we'd officially entered 'Champions League classic' territory. Tuesday night's action was always going to be tough to live up to, but these two gave it a good go. An absence of last-gasp drama certainly didn't take away from what was an archetypal continental belter.

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