Xtra Time Web Desk: Lionel Messi failed to inspire Barcelona to the quarter finals of the Champions League as the Spanish giants were held 1-1 by Paris Saint Germain at Parc des Princes on Wednesday night. It will be the first time since 2004/05 that neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo will feature in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Juventus too made an exit from the Champions League on Tuesday. It is also the first time the five time European champions were knocked out before the last eight stages since 2006/07 when they lost to Liverpool. The Premier League champions marched into the quarters with a 2-0 win over Leipzig on Wednesday.
PSG took the lead from a penalty in the 31st minute by Kylian Mbappe against the run of play. The French international who scored a hat trick at Camp Nou became the youngest player (22 years, 80 days) in history to score 25 Champions League goals, taking the record from Leo Messi (22 years, 286 days).
The visitors were quick to equalize as their talismanic captain powered in from 25 metres that tore into the top left corner. Barcelona had a golden opportunity to take the lead as they were awarded a penalty at the stroke of half time. But Keylor Navas was equal to the task by saving the penalty taken by Messi as both sides went into the breather with the scoreline 1-1.
The French champions whitstood the pressure in the second half to march into the quarter finals. At the same stage of the competition four years ago, Barcelona lost 4-0 in Paris only to win 6-1 at Camp Nou in one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history. Neymar and Messi tormented PSG that night, but there was to be no reply this time.