Barca ease into Champions League last four

Barcelona are through to the last four of the Champions League after a comfortable win over Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar opened the scoring – as he did in Paris – thanks to wonderful work from Andres Iniesta, who evaded the PSG press with graceful ease.

The Brazilian added a second before half time thanks to Dani Alves’ left-footed in-swinging cross, strolling between two PSG defenders and heading home.

Luis Enrique made one change from the XI that won 3-1 in the first leg, welcoming back Dani Alves in place of Martin Montoya, while PSG saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti return from suspension.

Iniesta injected some life into a sedate game with a dribble and pass of the highest quality, weaving his way through the PSG midfield before slipping the ball to Neymar, who rounded Salvatore Sirigu and finished.

PSG showed a bit of life in the immediate aftermath of Neymar’s goal but Marc-Andre Ter Stegen was mostly troubled by a miscued Gerard Pique clearance, and even that was comfortably claimed.

Messi sent a volley over Sirigu’s bar, Alves stung the Italian’s gloves from distance and Neymar followed up only for his header to be saved as Barca kept up the pressure.

Ivan Rakitic and Yohan Cabaye traded long-range shots to start the second half but PSG’s frustration eventually showed with a number of late tackles.

PSG calmed down and enjoyed a spell of possession but a misplaced Javier Mascherano pass produced the most trouble, combined with another mis-hit Pique clearance. The ball fell to Verratti but his drive was harmlessly wide.

Ibrahimovic got a shot on target from a PSG break, a powerful effort that Ter Stegen had to be alert too. The giant Swede was shortly after beaten in the air by little Jordi Alba.

He was involved again as PSG looked to pull a goal back, combining with Lucas Moura, Edinson Cavani and Blaise Matuidi, but no one could force the ball over the line.

Javier Mascherano made some important blocks to prevent PSG chances, Lucas wasted a great opening by shooting over and Ezequiel Lavezzi shot straight at Ter Stegen as PSG kept going in vain.

Barca strolled into the semi-finals and will learn their next opponents in Friday’s draw, a late miss by Lionel Messi not taking any of the gloss off a fine win.Barcelona 2-0 Paris Saint-Germain [5-1 on aggregate]

Neymar 14, 34

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets (Sergi Roberto 55), Rakitic, Iniesta (Xavi 46); Messi, Suarez (Pedro 75), Neymar

Paris Saint-Germain: Sirigu; Van der Wiel, Marquinhos, David Luiz, Maxwell; Cabaye (Lucas Moura 66), Verratti, Matuidi (Rabiot 80); Cavani (Lavezzi 80), Ibrahimovic, Pastore

Ref: Oddvar Moen [Norway]

Tags Paris Saint-Germain
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