Paris come from behind to stun Atalanta!

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Two goals in the last three minutes gave Paris Saint-Germain a stunning come from behind victory over Italian side Atalanta, as the French champions qualified for the semi-finals of Europe’s top club competition for the first time since 1995.

An unmarked Mario Pasalic fired Atalanta in front in the 27th minute and just as it looked as though Les Rouge et Bleu would going home early from the Final 8, late goals from Marquinhos (90’) and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (93’) saved the day for the French side and send them into the last four of the competition where they will face either Atletico de Madrid or Red Bull Leipzig next Tuesday.

Les Rouge et Bleu could have been in front as early as the fourth minute when Neymar Jr raced clear of the defence but fired wide of the mark with only Marco Sportiello to beat (4’).
Atalanta, playing in their first ever Champions League quarter-final, weren’t showing any signs of nerves. The free-scoring Italian side have rewritten the attacking record books in Serie A this season and Keylor Navas had to be at his absolute best to deny Hans Hateboer (11’) before an even more miraculous save low to his left kept out Mattia Caldara (12’) – both with headers.
It was an even contest as Atalanta employed their classic high-pressing game and Paris worked to free Neymar into space.

Just before the half hour, Pasalic was in the right place at the right time to fire beyond Navas and give Atalanta the lead (1-0, 27’). The ball bouncing fortunately to the unmarked Pasalic after Kimpembe had tackled Zapata on the edge of the area.
Paris Saint-Germain’s reply was instant as Neymar Jr picked up possession on the left, cut across the edge of the area before seeing his stinging low shot flash just wide of the left-hand upright (28’).
Atalanta looked to defend their lead and Paris created more chances. Neymar’s free-kick was saved by Sportiello (35’) before the Brazilian fired wide from a tight angle after pouncing on a poor back-pass (42’).

Trailing 1-0 at half-time, Paris, without the injured Marco Verratti and the suspended Angel Di Maria, took control of proceedings after the restart but struggled to create chances against an Atalanta side content to sit deep and defend their slender advantage.
Coach Thomas Tuchel introduced Kylian Mbappé on the hour mark and the effect was immediate.
Mbapp´ and Neymar were finding plenty of space, despite the Italian side defending in numbers. The World Cup winner was twice denied by Sportiello (74’, 80’), either side of another Neymar chance (76’).

Paris threw everything into attack and with five minutes left, substitutes Julian Draxler and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting combined from a corner, but the Cameroon international’s header flew over the bar (85’). But there was more to come from the big No.17.
The African was then to play a crucial role in the victory of the French side. In the final minute, Choupo, who extended his contract by two months to play in the Final 8 picked up possession on the right and crossed to the back post for Neymar who controlled and crossed for Marquinhos to poke home from close range (1-1, 90’).

Then, three minutes later, NJR released Kylian down the left. KM7 cutback for an unmarked Choupo, who slammed the ball into the roof of the net and Paris into the semi-final (1-2, 93’).