Italian football exports were decisive as French giants Paris Saint Germain (PSG) crush Barcelona in their Champions League last 16 first leg tie at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night. There were three Italian football exports on show during the game, which ended in a comprehensive away win for PSG. The French champions were able to take a big step towards securing a spot in the quarterfinals of the competition.
Barcelona had taken the lead through star player Lionel Messi after the Spaniards were awarded a penalty. PSG left-back LaryvinKurzawa was penalised for the trip on Dutchman Frenkie De Jong in the box. Messi stepped up to tuck away the resulting penalty to give the hosts the lead. PSG hit back through KylianMbappe, who turned out to be the star of the show. The PSG equaliser came in the first half after good work from Kurzawa, who atoned for his error from the Barcelona strike. At the half-time interval, the game was delicately poised until PSG took charge of the Champions League outing in the second half. Italian football export Florenzi provided the assist for KylianMbappe to score his second goal to give PSG the lead for the first time in the game before the Italian football export duo of Verrati and Kean combine to extend that lead from a free-kick. Moise Kean produced an excellent header for the third goal for PSG. KylianMbappe then went on to complete his treble off the assist from substitute Julian Draxler, who can been subbed off for Marco Veratti. The hattrick goal ensured that PSG took a 4-1 lead back to Paris ahead of the second leg next month.