One match turned into sublimity for one African footballer while another suffered an astonishing defeat in one of the all-time great European comebacks during the Champions League Knock Out stage on Wednesday night.
Ivory Coast professional player, Serge Aurier came on in the second half to help ensure PSG’s progression into the quarterfinals however, it turned into a dramatic annihilation as Barcelona won the game 6-1 (6-5 on aggregate).
PSG’s light was kept burning following Edison Cavani’s goal to tally the score at 3-1 with the French side holding onto an away goal advantage at the Nou Camp.
But Angel Di Maria’s clear-cut chance to put a lid on a resilient Barcelona’s hopes was punished by a beautifully taken free-kick from Neymar, followed by a second-conceded PSG penalty, which led to an otherwise result in Barcelona’s favor.
Sergi Roberto’s wonderfully finished touch was the last swing at axing PSG in the dying minutes of extra time to wrap up what will be remembered as an astonishing game
On the flip side, Pierre Aubameyang was a man on a mission after his hat-trick helped book Borussia Dortmund a place in the next round of the Champions League.
Dortmund was trailing 1-0 from the first-leg but goals from Aubameyang and Christian Pulisic, comfortably won the German side on 4-1 aggregate against Benfica.
The Gabon forward now has seven goals in three of his last games and seven Champions League goals in several games, all inclusive of the 28 goals he has scored this season for Dortmund.
It turned into a goal-hunting match for Aubameyang following his first-leg disappointing performance where he missed a number of obvious chances including a penalty.
Dortmund now progresses into the last eight in Europe for the first time since 2013/14.
Featured Image: Pierre Aubameyang resumed his scoring ways to help Dortmund ease through the Knock-Out stage. (Getty Images)
