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.