Paris Saint-Germain, who had been struggling for what seemed like forever to get into the semi-final stage of the UEFA Champions League since they last did it in 1994/95, finally got the monkey off their back with a superb showing in Wednesday's quarter-final clash against Atalanta.
At the outset, it looked like they were set for yet another disappointment as they trailed Atalanta 1-0 as late as the 90th minute. However, thanks to a masterful set-up by Neymar, Marquinhos sent in the equaliser at that dying moment and was followed three minutes later by an equally unbelievable decider from Eric Choupo-Moting - a free transfer from Stoke City - set up by Kylian Mbappe.
However, for many, the star of the show was Neymar, who, after missing out on the decisive UCL games the last two seasons due to injuries, pulled off 16 dribbles, the most by a player in a single Champions League match since his erstwhile Barca teammate Lionel Messi did it against Manchester United in 2008.
The unpredictable match led to an outpouring of reactions on social media, and we round up some of the best ones:
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— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_espanol) August 12, 2020
No way a Stoke City reject has had to bail out the most expensive attack in the world LOOOOOOOOOL
— Pøgba Senior (@TheSaItIsHere) August 12, 2020
Mbappe is clear of everyone his age.
— Akh (@RilwanLucas) August 12, 2020
Le football, bloody hell
— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) August 12, 2020
Neymar is ridiculously good. No debate.
— James Maddison (@Madders10) August 12, 2020
Choupo-Moting with the winner. But could he do it on a cold, wet Tuesday night in Stoke?
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 12, 2020
😱 @neymarjr 🎩
— Daniel Ceballos (@DaniCeballos46) August 12, 2020
Neymar 17 dribbles, 1 assist, 5 key passes & 2 chances created. That is disgusting.
— Ali. (@UtdAlii) August 12, 2020
😭😭😭
Neymar dismissed as a gadfly, bottler, choker etc by BT pundits (who don't seem to realise he was injured the last two years at this stage). Looks of bafflement in the studio when Neymar doesn't give up and instead helps win the game at the end.
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) August 12, 2020
Feature image courtesy: AFP / David Ramos
