Last night something improbable happened. No, improbable is not the right word. Impossible is a more fitting description of the situation Barcelona found themselves in after losing the first leg of their Champions' League tie 4-0 to Paris St. Germain (PSG) several weeks ago. The result from that first leg loss meant that the Catalans had to score four times just to force extra time and possibly penalties. No team in this competition had ever turned around such a deficit, but then again Barcelona is unlike any other team.
That Barcelona faced this test a mere week after its manager had tied to call it quits at the end of the season added even more drama to this uphill task. However, this announcement seemed to unite the players in the days after it was made, rather than divide or distract them. The coach Luis Enrique had said before the match that he did not know if Barca could turn around the tie, but that they would try. He also said if PSG can score four against us in Paris, why can we not score six against them in our home? What a wise man Enrique is.
The game started off full of energy, and Barca had the ball in the back of the net within four minutes. PSG conceded an "own goal" minutes later, and an energy seemed to fill the players and fans, alike. Was a comeback truly possible. After PSG conceded a penalty that Leo Messi clinically put home, Barca were up 3-0 and cruising. Only one more goal was necessary to level things.
However, PSG scored off of a busted play to make it 3-1. Now the Catalans ended to score three more to go through. That is because Champions' League knockout rounds are decided by the aggregate score between the two games and because "away" goals scored by the visitors count for slightly more than one goal. In this case, the aggregate score was 5-3 in PSG's favor. Since Barca did not score an away goal in the first leg, they needed three more goals for a total of six to best PSG's five.
With two minutes left in regulation, it looked as though it was not meant to be. However, Neymar, the dazzling Brazilian who had been the best player on the pitch, stepped up and fired a free kick home - 4-1 and 4-5 on aggregate. Then, Luis Suarez, the mercurial Uruguayan striker, was brought down in the penalty box. Though Messi is the usual penalty taker, the task was left to Neymar, He stepped up and delivered another goal during the "added time" period of the match. With three minutes to go, Barca were up 5-1 and level on aggregate 5-5, but they still needed one more to go through.
Once again, Neymar delivered - this time in the 95th minute - by lofting a ball into the box that was met by the outside of the boot of the former Barca youth product and all-around utility man Sergio Roberto. PSG's keeper Kevin Trapp was beaten. Barca led 6-1 and 6-5 on aggregate, The stadium and cules around the world erupted.
Never say die. It is not over until it is over. Never give up. especially on this team. Those are the lessons of a win like Barca's last night. In the end, we came through, and Pique, the great central defender will no doubt be proven right after saying they will need to hire more midwives in Barcelona in nine months because love will be made tonight.
Love. It is a funny word to describe a sports team, But Barca are not just any team. Last night was a reminder that the team's motto, mes que un club - more than a club- has never been more true. Visca Barca!
