Star footballer Angel Di Maria scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain defeated Barcelona 4-0 in what could be said as a one-sided encounter, thus leaving the Spanish side in danger of failing to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in a decade.
PSG, who were knocked out of the competition by Barcelona in 2013 and 2015, were simply outstanding in this last-16 first-leg tie as they dominated Luis Enrique's men from the starting, taking the lead in the 18th minute of the game, courtesy Di Maria's curled free-kick.
Julian Draxler, making his Champions League debut, then made the scoreline 2-0 in the 40th minute, thus adding woes to Barcelona.
Di Maria, celebrating his 29th birthday, then scored in the 55th minute followed by Edinson Cavani's 32nd of the season in the 71st minute - capping a night of almost incomprehensible misery for their esteemed opponents, reports goal.com.
PSG became the sixth team to score four goals in a Champions League game against Barcelona.
It was one of the worst performances from Luis Enrique's men in recent memory.
The defeat now leaves Barcelona with a herculean task to stay in the competition when they host PSG in the return leg on March 8.
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