Barcelona's hopes for a Champions League comeback were dashed on Tuesday as they lost 4-1 to Paris Saint-Germain, with Xavi Hernandez claiming the referee's decision to send off Ronald Araujo was "unnecessary." Araujo's dismissal in the 29th minute left Barcelona with 10 men, and PSG were able to take advantage and progress to the next round. Xavi also received a red card for showing dissent towards the referee, and he expressed frustration with the Romanian referee's decisions.
Barcelona's Champions League Hopes Evaporate in Crushing Defeat to PSG
On Tuesday, Barcelona's dreams of a Champions League comeback were ruthlessly extinguished after a humiliating 4-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes. The match was marred by controversy, with the pivotal moment being the sending off of Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo in the 29th minute.
Araujo's dismissal for a rash challenge on Ángel Di María left Barcelona with 10 men and severely tilted the balance of the game in PSG's favor. The Ligue 1 champions capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice and Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Marquinhos adding one each.
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez expressed his dismay at Araujo's red card, calling it "unnecessary." He also received a red card for showing dissent towards the referee, adding to the team's frustration.
"The referee's decision changed the game," said Xavi after the match. "It was a very harsh decision. I don't understand how he could send Araujo off for that."
Barcelona's elimination from the Champions League marks a bitter end to a disappointing season for the Catalan giants. Having finished second in La Liga and been knocked out of the Copa del Rey, they have failed to win a major trophy for the first time in over a decade.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q: Why did Barcelona lose so heavily to PSG? A: Barcelona's loss was primarily due to the early red card to Ronald Araujo, which left them with 10 men for most of the match. PSG were able to take advantage of their numerical advantage and control the game.
Q: Was Araujo's sending off justified? A: The decision to send off Araujo was controversial, with some arguing that it was harsh while others believe it was the correct call. The referee deemed Araujo's challenge on Di María to be dangerous.
Q: Who scored the goals for PSG? A: Kylian Mbappé scored twice, while Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Marquinhos each added one for PSG.
Q: What was Xavi's reaction to the game? A: Xavi expressed his disappointment with the referee's decision to send off Araujo, calling it "unnecessary." He also received a red card for dissent.
Q: What does this result mean for Barcelona? A: Barcelona's defeat to PSG marks the end of their Champions League campaign and a disappointing season overall. They have failed to win a major trophy for the first time in over a decade.
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