How to Come Back from the Dead: Barcelona's Historic Comeback

   What happens when you are down by four goals in UEFA Champions League? Most teams will never know what to do, besides try and fight back. At maximum effort, these teams usually are able to cut it down to a two goal lead, at most. But that was not the case on March 9th, 2017. On this date, Barcelona faced Paris St. Germain (PSG). The Score, PSG 4 Barcelona 0 (on aggregate). The first leg was dominated by the Ligue 1 giants led by Angel DiMaria's brace. Barcelona looked lethargic, and in all honestly they looked defeated. The second leg would be held in Barcelona, at Camp Nou. This advantage turned out to aid Barcelona in their come back.
    Right from the kickoff, Barcelona pressed PSG to their breaking point. This resulted in Barcelona scoring their first goal in the 3rd minute coming by Luis Suarez's point blank header. As PSG began to fight back and hold the three goal lead, Barcelona broke through once again. This time coming from an own goal from PSG right back Layvin Kurzawa in the 40' minute. At halftime, PSG still held a two goal lead on aggregate.  The story was the same in the second half. In the first five minutes, Barcelona winger Neymar drew a penalty in which superstar Lionel Messi converted to cut the lead to one. 12 minutes later, PSG was able to score the ever so needy away goal by Edinson Cavani. This crucial goal now meant that Barcelona would have to outright win the game by a score of 6-5. This is due to the away goal rule in which the result of a tie, the winner would be determined by which team scored the most away goals. Since PSG won 4-0 at home, and having scored the away goal at Barcelona, would mean they would win the game even if Barcelona scored two more goals.
    Now, fast forward to 88th minute. The score is still 3-1. Only two minutes plus stoppage time was in the way of PSG advancing to the second round of the UEFA Champions League. A free kick is rewarded to Barcelona. Neymar steps up to the ball... and rips a shot near post. The ball gracefully enters the goal. Barcelona is now only down by one, still needing two. When play is resumed, Barcelona presses PSG. After stealing the ball away from PSG, a ball is played to Louis Suarez. The PSG defender fouls Suarez in the box and results in another penalty for Barcelona. The penalty was then converted by Neymar. As the Camp Nou erupted with emotion, one more goal was needed in order for Barcelona to win. Play was started once more, and PSG was pressed so hard, it looked like they were getting squeezed by a hydraulic press. They turned the ball over. Barcelona had one more chance to score the game winning goal. Neymar played a ball into the box. Substitute Sergi Roberto was seen making a wonder-run in the box. Diving at the ball, Roberto was able to get a foot on the ball. The ball then glided into the back of the net, Barcelona had done the impossible. The players charged the pitch rejoicing in the greatest comeback ever.

I hope everyone who reads this is able to understand the terms used since they were soccer terms. Please watch the highlights, they are a lot better then my interpretation. And nothing beats the sound of the crowd when that 6th goal was scored.

Until next time,

The Third