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Kylian Mbappe put on a masterclass for the ages against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League earlier today as Paris Saint-Germain sent shockwaves through the Blaugrana with an emphatic 4-1 victory at the Camp Nou. The Parisians were clinical and dominant on the night and were given a generous helping hand by a disgraceful defensive performance by Barcelona.
Ronald Koeman's side started the game well but descended into a chaotic mess as Paris Saint-Germain grew into what was a high-octane clash. Barcelona's famous Remontada against the French giants will now have to be replicated in three weeks' time if the Catalans are to harbour any hopes of European silverware this season.
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Barcelona did keep plenty of possession in the opening stages of the game but Paris Saint-Germain did manage to fashion a couple of chances. Antoine Griezmann and Mauro Icardi exchanged shots at either end as the game began to open up at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona drew first blood as Frenkie de Jong was clipped by Layvin Kurzawa in the penalty area. Lionel Messi made no mistake with his penalty and his powerful strike gave the Catalan giants the lead.
The opening goal forced Paris Saint-Germain to take it up a notch and Kylian Mbappe took full toll of some poor Barcelona defending to score a crucial away goal for the French champions. The Parisians were the ascendant force towards the end of the first half and created a flurry of chances to trouble Barcelona.
Paris Saint-Germain firmly had their foot on Barcelona's throat at the start of the second half and decided to embark on a series of unrelenting counters. Kylian Mbappe was particularly vicious with his pace and gave the Parisians the lead with a goal just after the hour-mark.
Moise Kean decided to compound Barcelona's misery less than five minutes later with an excellent headed goal to cap off a coming-of-age performance. Marco Verratti and Leandro Paredes pulled the strings in the midfield as Barcelona's stunning decline became blatantly obvious at the Camp Nou.
Mbappe was far from satisfied with his unplayable self, however, and decided to sprinkle more salt into Barcelona's wounds with an excellent finish to complete a historic hat-trick. The Frenchman took Barcelona to the cleaners on the night and has now given Ronald Koeman a near-insurmountable task in the UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona Player Ratings
Marc-Andre ter Stegen - 6/10
For yet another season, Marc-Andre ter Stegen must be fuming with his defence. The German goalkeeper did make a few excellent saves was left stranded on several occasions and was unable to keep the effervescent Parisians at bay.
Gerard Pique - 4.5/10
Gerard Pique was partially at fault for two of the four goals his side conceded and struggled to keep pace with the game on his return from injury. The Barcelona veteran was tormented by Paris Saint-Germain and was often stretched by the opposition's searing pace.
Clement Lenglet - 2/10
Clement Lenglet's discernible decline this season arguably reached its lowest point against Paris Saint-Germain. The Frenchman was massacred by Kylian Mbappe and was virtually a non-entity as the Parisians steamrolled Barcelona in their own backyard.
Jordi Alba - 5.5/10
Jordi Alba was one of the better performers in what was a dismal defensive showing by Barcelona. The left-back got into promising positions in the final third but was unable to make much of an impact.
Sergino Dest - 4.5/10
Sergino Dest did well in the first 20 minutes of the game but was eventually eviscerated by Kylian Mbappe on the right flank. The American youngster was often guilty of offering Paris Saint-Germain with far too much space and was hampered by his inexperience on the night.
Sergio Busquets - 5/10
Sergio Busquets did not have a particularly good game and struggled to impose his influence on the game. The Catalan veteran was easily bypassed in the midfield and his lack of pace was heavily exposed by Paris Saint-Germain.
Frenkie de Jong - 5.5/10
Aside from winning the penalty and making a few good runs, Frenkie de Jong had a poor game by his standards. The Dutch midfielder was surprisingly outfoxed by his opposite numbers and was often ineffective with his movements.
Pedri - 6.5/10
Pedri was arguably the only bright spot for Barcelona on the night. The teenager ran his heart out and troubled Paris Saint-Germain with a few piercing runs and inventive passes.
Ousmane Dembele - 4/10
Ousmane Dembele clearly has plenty of potential but has flattered to deceive yet again for Barcelona. The French winger simply failed to turn up on the night and his missed chance in the first half cost the Blaugrana dearly.
Antoine Griezmann - 5/10
Antoine Griezmann was an integral part of Barcelona's build-up play in the first half-hour but his influence waned as the game progressed. The French striker did fashion a couple of chances but was unable to hit the target.
Lionel Messi - 6/10
Barcelona's magician did wave his wand on a few occasions in the first half and scored a penalty as a result. Lionel Mess was marshalled by Paris Saint-Germain in the second half, however, and had an uninspiring game by his lofty standards.
Substitutes
Miralem Pjanic - 6/10
Miralem Pjanic was introduced to add an element of control to Barcelona's game and did manage to stem some of Paris Saint-Germain steaming counters. The Bosnian midfielder was unable to provide the Catalans with a source of inspiration in the final third.
Oscar Mingueza - 5.5/10
Oscar Mingueza replaced Sergino Dest in the second half as Barcelona looked for an alternative solution against the effervescent Kylian Mbappe. The Catalan youngster was unable to prevent the French winger from adding yet another goal to his tally.
Riqui Puig - 6/10
Riqui Puig ran his heart out in a cameo appearance but could do very little to upset the rhythm of a buoyant Paris Saint-Germain side.
Francisco Trincao - 6.5/10
Francisco Trincao looked more threatening than most of his attacking teammates in his short time on the pitch and nearly scythed through the Paris Saint-Germain defence with an impressive run towards the end of the game.
Martin Braithwaite - 5.5/10
Brought on as a late substitute, Martin Braithwaite was visibly out of his depth against the Parisians and could not make much of an impact.
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Paris Saint-Germain Player Ratings
Keylor Navas - 6.5/10
Paris Saint-Germain shot-stopper Keylor Navas had surprisingly little to do against Barcelona and could not do much to stop Lionel Messi's penalty. Apart from a haphazard decision in the second half, the goalkeeper had a comfortable outing.
Presnel Kimpembe - 6.5/10
Like his goalkeeper behind him, Presnel Kimpembe would have been thrilled to have a relatively quiet night against Barcelona. The centre-back did make a few important interceptions but was largely comfortable as Paris Saint-Germain dominated the game.
Marquinhos - 6/10
Marquinhos did have a few nervous moments against Lionel Messi but was able to rely on his teammates to clean up after some of his decisions. The Brazilian defender was able to keep Barcelona's attack at bay and had a good game.
Layvin Kurzawa - 7/10
Layvin Kurzawa had his fair share of misfortune as he conceded the penalty that gave Barcelona their opening goal. The left-back was happy to make amends, however, and tormented the Catalans by using the acres of space that were offered to him on the flank.
Alessandro Florenzi - 7.5/10
Alessandro Florenzi seems to enjoy giving Barcelona the occasional nightmare. The Italian full-back overcame his early struggled against Jordi Alba and his pace and intelligence handed him a well-deserved assist on the day.
Idrissa Gueye - 5.5/10
Idrissa Gueye walked a fine tightrope in the first half and was booked for a harsh tackle early in the game. The midfielder was lucky to get away with a few more brash decisions and was promptly replaced after the half-time interval.
Leandro Paredes - 8/10
Leandro Paredes was one of Paris Saint-Germain's most understated performers on the night. The Argentine midfielder won his battles against Frenkie de Jong and allowed the French giants to dominate proceedings against Barcelona at the Camp Nou.
Marco Verratti - 8.5/10
The criminally under-rated Marco Verratti stepped up yet again tonight to prove his mettle against Barcelona's midfield. Paris Saint-Germain's Italian maestro was uncontainable at the Camp Nou and his glorious flick for the first goal was only one of his many special moments of the night.
Moise Kean - 8/10
Moise Kean was viewed by many as Paris Saint-Germain's weak link going into this game but gave his critics a shellacking with a decidedly mature performance. The Italian forward got a goal for his efforts on the night and often made Clement Lenglet a redundant figure with his pace and movement.
Kylian Mbappe - 9/10
Kylian Mbappe has now made a case for himself as the best player in the world. The Frenchman was literally unstoppable on the night and his incredible pace and control gave Lenglet and Pique a night they will unfortunately never be able to forget.
The Paris Saint-Germain winger tore through Barcelona's defence for his first goal and added another to his tally in the second half. Mbappe completed his hat-trick with a Neymar-esque finish towards the end of the game and has more than lived up to his billing today.
Mauro Icardi - 6.5/10
Mauro Icardi is proving to be an important cog in Pochettino's Paris Saint-Germain's side and made his team a cohesive attacking unit. The Argentine striker should have opened the scoring in the first half but went on to trouble Barcelona with his link-up play.
Substitutes
Ander Herrera - 6.5/10
Ander Herrera replaced Idrissa Gueye in the second half and stepped up with a commendable performance to thwart Barcelona's midfielders.
Julian Draxler - 7.5/10
Julian Draxler was brought on to the pitch with 15 minutes remaining in the game and tore through the Barcelona side to create Paris Saint-Germain's fourth goal of the match.
Danilo Pereira - 6/10
Danilo Pereira was introduced towards the end of the game as Paris Saint-Germain looked to see out the final few minutes.
Thilo Kehrer - 6/10
Thilo Kehrer spent only five minutes on the pitch and did not have enough time to make an impact.
