PSG vs. Barcelona score: Barca's comeback effort stalls on missed Messi PK; PSG to Champions League quarters

The hosts weren't at their best, but they didn't need to be to go through

Despite having enough chances to make their Champions League tie interesting, Barcelona could not pull off the comeback against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in the round of 16 second leg. Barca blew plenty of goal-scoring opportunities in Paris and settled for a 1-1 draw. PSG advanced to the quarterfinals, 5-2, on aggregate. 

A 4-1 home loss in the first leg was far too much to overcome for Lionel Messi's squad, though Barca gave it an admirable run. They created 21 shots, 14 more than PSG, while possessing the ball over 70 percent of the time. 

Barcelona looked stellar in the first 45 minutes and should have scored multiple goals, but a lack of precision and a saved penalty kick saw the visitors score just one, needing three more in the second half. 

A 30th-minute goal from a penalty kick by Kylian Mbappe, off an unfortunate foul from Clement Lenglet on Mauro Icardi, didn't change much, as Barca still needed four goals to have any chance. Messi got his goal 37 minutes in but couldn't capitalize on the penalty kick before the end of the first half, leaving them needing three in the second half -- they wouldn't get one. 

PSG were without Neymar, who missed due to injury, but they didn't need him, focusing on defense above all to ensure their spot in the last eight.

The French side is now into the quarterfinals alongside Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Porto.

[Mar 10, 2021 at 4:57 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Well, that was entertaining! PSG through, but Barca gave it everything. Navas was immense and Diallo's introduction changed the game for the hosts. Pochettino deserves credit for recognising the changes needed and timing them perfectly.