In a thrilling night of UEFA Champions League action on Tuesday, Barcelona, led by manager Xavi Hernandez, orchestrated a remarkable comeback against Porto, securing a 2-1 victory and securing their spot in the knockout rounds for the first time in three seasons.
Simultaneously, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) managed to salvage a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United with a dramatic 98th-minute Kylian Mbappe penalty, while Manchester City staged an impressive comeback against RB Leipzig, and Arsenal and Manchester United dealt with fresh injury concerns.
Barcelona’s Resurgence: Cancelo and Felix Shine
Barcelona faced early setbacks with Porto taking the lead through Brazilian winger Pepe.
However, the Portuguese duo of Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix emerged as the heroes, overturning the scoreline and securing Barcelona’s passage to the knockout stages.
Cancelo’s leveler and his crucial assist for Felix’s winning goal showcased the resilience instilled by Xavi Hernandez in the team.
Mbappe’s Late Heroics Keep PSG Alive
In a nail-biting encounter, Paris Saint-Germain found themselves on the brink of defeat against Newcastle United.
However, Kylian Mbappe, wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of the injured Marquinhos, stepped up when it mattered most.
His 98th-minute penalty secured a crucial draw, keeping PSG in contention for the last 16.
Read Also: Champions League Upsets: Manchester United’s Crisis and Real Madrid Drama
Haaland Makes History in City’s Comeback
Erling Haaland made history as the fastest player to score 40 Champions League goals, leading Manchester City’s stunning comeback from a 2-0 deficit against RB Leipzig.
The Norwegian striker reduced the arrears before goals from Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez secured the top spot in Group G for the defending champions.
Injury Updates for Man Utd and Arsenal
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag received a double injury boost ahead of their crucial clash with Galatasaray.
Rasmus Hojlund and Antony returned to training and are expected to be fit for selection.
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Fabio Vieira underwent groin surgery, expecting the midfielder to be sidelined for weeks.
What You Should Know
Tuesday’s Champions League fixtures delivered intense drama, with Barcelona’s comeback, Mbappe’s last-minute heroics, and Haaland’s record-breaking performance headlining the night.
As Manchester United and Arsenal prepare for their upcoming challenges, the stage is set for more thrilling encounters in the quest for European glory.
