50 legendary matches: When Paris turned over Stamford Bridge!

11 March 2015. Three weeks after the first leg of the Round of 16 at the Parc des Princes which left Les Parisiens in an unfavourable position (1-1), Les Rouge et Bleu crossed the Channel to face José Mourinho's Chelsea in the second leg. 

The task was clear for Laurent Blanc against the leaders of the Premier League: Les Parisiens needed to score to have any hope. A red card in the 30th minute for the team's leader should have buried any hopes for the men from the Capital. But...

A look back at a crazy evening

In his attempt to achieve the impossible, the French coach opted for an attacking trio of Pastore-Cavani-Ibrahimovic to start the match. But after a very competitive half an hour, the shape of the game changed entirely. After contact between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Oscar, the Swedish striker was sent off, after pressure from all 11 Chelsea players (31').

Playing more than an hour with a numerical disadvantage and without their top scorer: this was now the challenge for Les Parisiens. Cavani hit the post (58') then it was Pastore's turn (71') and the tension rose even further when Diego Costa received just a yellow card for a poor foul on Thiago Silva. 

After a highly charged match, Laurent Blanc's side faltered with just ten minutes to go, when Cahill buried an unstoppable half-volley from a corner (1-0, 81'). But that didn't account for former Blue, David Luiz, delightfully meeting with Lavezzi's ball at the near post (1-1, 86') to maintain hope for extra time.

During the additional thirty minutes, the crazy evening continued and Stamford Bridge rose to its feet when Thiago Silva touched the ball with his arm during an aerial battle with Kurt Zouma, giving away a penalty that Eden Hazard tucked away in order to give Chelsea the lead (2-1, 96'). But once again, there was still hope in this encounter and there were 20 minutes to go in order to turn it around. 

History will remember that Paris Saint-Germain achieved this incredible feat... thanks to their Brazilian defender. Because the captain rose highest in the box to connect with a Thiago Motta corner, and found the back of Thibaut Courtois' net (2-2, 114'). An incredible equaliser which led to a unique moment of elation.

Down to 10 men for more than an hour and a half, trailing on two occasions, hitting the post, conceding a penalty…  Laurent Blanc's side pushed on with desire, effort and solidarity and secured qualification for the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League.

A real epic, filled with sacrifice, injustice, hope and despair, before the tension made way for collective delight... This match gave the fans one of the most emotional evenings in the club's history.

"I am very happy! It's difficult to lose Zlatan Ibrahimovic, one of our best players, so early on. But we kept our spirit and character, we continued to play. They scored first but we always believed in ourselves.", delighted David Luiz after the encounter.

CHELSEA FC - PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: 2-2 (aet.)
UEFA Champions League - Second Leg, Round of 16
11 March 2015 - Stamford Bridge (London)
Referee: M. Kuipers (NED).
Goals: Cahill (81') and Hazard (96' pen) for Chelsea, David Luiz (86') and T. Silva (114') for Paris Saint-Germain.
CHELSEA: Courtois - Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta - Ramires (Drogba, 91'), Matic (Zouma, 84'), Oscar (Willian, 46'), Fabregas, Hazard - D. Costa. Coach: José Mourinho.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: Sirigu - Marquinhos, David Luiz, T. Silva (c), Maxwell - Verratti (Rabiot, 82'), Thiago Motta, Matuidi (Lavezzi, 82') - Pastore (van der Wiel, 118'), Cavani - Ibrahimovic. Coach: Laurent Blanc.

Relive this match 'as live' during the PSG Watch Party on Sunday 29 March at 9pm: