Juvica Kvaratschelia and Bradley Barcola once again punished Chelsea in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.
Both players scored for a 3-0 away win, with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain advancing to the quarter-finals with an 8-2 aggregate victory.
And PSG’s victory was sealed by a clinical goal from 19-year-old Seni Mayur, highlighting the strength of PSG’s junior system. He scored the fifth goal in last year’s Champions League final, defeating Inter Milan 5-0.
“We did almost everything well, defended well and used our abilities to attack,” PSG coach Luis Enrique said. “I thought we controlled the game and counter-attacked very well.”
Kvaratschelia, who scored two late goals in the first leg, put PSG ahead in the sixth minute after a mistake from Chelsea centre-back Mamadou Sarr.
The 20-year-old Senegal international failed to respond to the routine long pass, Kvaratskheria He stole the ball from him and beat goalkeeper Roberto Sanchez with a low shot.
“It was great. It’s very good to score three goals away against Chelsea,” said Kvaratschelia. “The important thing is that we continue to play very well.”
Barcola, who scored the opening goal in the first leg against Chelsea, remained in the attacking line despite Kvaratschelia’s return to the starting lineup.
Luis Enrique made a powerful statement. Desiree Douet, who played an active role with two goals and one assist when PSG routed Inter, was dropped.
Barcola He improvised a stunning finish to make it 2-0 in the 15th minute at Stamford Bridge. He collected a pass from right-back Achraf Hakimi on the edge of the penalty area and fired the ball into the top left corner with the outside of his right foot.
Barcola could have scored again late in the first half with a strong shot from deep, but his shot was saved by Sanchez.
Mayur beat Sanchez in the 62nd minute with a stunning first goal from just outside the penalty area.
PSG’s attacking performance was so strong that they won the Ballon d’Or. Ousmane Dembele By his standards, he could have afforded a quiet game. He was sent off midway through the second half.
Kvaratschelia is PSG’s top scorer in the competition this season with seven goals.
But the Georgia star dismissed the idea that he is a big-game player who will do his best heading into the Champions League.
“No, I don’t think so,” he said.
PSG will face either six-time champions Liverpool or Galatasaray in the quarter-finals next month. ___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
