Paris fall

The match:

From smiles at Old Trafford to tears at the Parc. Just before 23:00, the sky fell on the Parisians - literally, as the rain hammered down, and figuratively as the Red Devils clinched it in 'Fergie Time'… From a very generous penalty, Rashford fired past Buffon and shattered the capital club's quarter-final hopes (1-3, 90'+4)… In the heat of the moment, it's tough - perhaps impossible - to find the words. It's not the moment for excuses, but there are nights where nothing goes your way…

Even full of confidence, with a two away-goal lead and the exact same starting XI, you can never say that qualifying for the next round of the UEFA Champions League is a mere formality.

Under the driving rain at the Parc, the Parisian fans quickly got a taste of what was to come as Lukaku won the ball and rounded Buffon before firing home (0-1, 2'). After just 120 short seconds, the English side struck a crucial blow. Parisian hopes were revived (temporarily), when Bernat - teed up to perfection by Mbappé - once again hit a crucial goal in this competition (1-1, 12')! A blessing? Almost; in the minutes that followed, Les Rouge et Bleu dominated proceedings (87% possession after 25 minutes), with Bernat firing a rocket straight at De Gea (20'), before Di Maria fired just wide with an equally emphatic effort (21'). As was the case in the first leg, Kimpembe proved combative in defence while Verratti was the source of all Paris' moves going forward and Mbappé created overlaps. However, despite these positive signs, it was Manchester who struck next, Rashford firing a swerving effort at Buffon, whose parry fell for the clinical Lukaku, who clinched his double with angled finish (1-2, 30'). This second goal changed the match, and the only certitude at the break was that the 45,000 spectators at the Parc would not be seeing extra-time…

As the second half began, Paris looked to give themselves some breathing room, with Di Maria producing a superb chipped strike in front of the Auteuil stand… which was ruled out for off-side (56'). Another taste of what was to come; nothing went to plan for Paris, who soon lost Draxler to injury (70'). Pegged back into their own half, Manchester - who clearly did not cross the Channel looking to play attacking football - had to rely on De Gea's prowess to keep them in front, the Spaniard denying Meunier with a firm fist (83'). Soon after, De Gea was saved by his post as Bernat went within centimetres of instant hero status (84')! And then came the penalty, whistled for after consultation with VAR (90'+1). After that? No, there's no need to relive the pain…

The facts are incontrovertible: Paris Saint-Germain hadn't conceded two goals in the first 30 minutes of a Champions League game in… 22 years. Moreover, no other team has ever been knocked out of the competition after winning the first leg 2-0 away from home. Two stats that can perhaps hint at the depth of the disappointment - which is like an abyss in the capital tonight…