Angel di Maria scored twice as hosts Paris St-Germain (PSG) of France stunned FC Barcelona 4-0 on Tuesday in a last-16 first-leg tie.
The result left the Spanish side in danger of failing to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in a decade.
PSG dominated this match throughout and took the lead through Di Maria’s curled free-kick. Julian Draxler added a second with an angled drive before Di Maria curled an effort into the top corner, while Edinson Cavani sealed a famous win with a powerful fourth.
A lacklustre FC Barcelona — with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar largely anonymous — did not produce an effort of note until seven minutes before the end.
This was when Samuel Umtiti headed onto the post.
The defeat leaves Luis Enrique’s side with an almighty task to stay in the competition when they host PSG in the return leg on March 8.
No side has managed to overturn a four-goal deficit in the history of the UEFA Champions League.
FC Barcelona breezed into the knockout stage by topping Group C, winning five of the six games they played.
Their one defeat was also the only time they conceded three goals in a group-stage game, when they lost 3-1 at Manchester City.
At least in that match they managed to score — Messi putting them ahead at Etihad Stadium.
But at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday, they barely troubled Kevin Trapp in the PSG goal.
The visitors regularly squandered possession and looked lethargic throughout.
When they have not been at their best in the past, their star players have stepped up. But on this occasion they offered nothing.
Messi, so often capable of creating something from nothing, made uncharacteristic mistakes and was at fault for PSG’s second goal when he lost the ball to Draxler.
Draxler then played a one-two with Marco Verratti to slice through a static defence and put the French side in control.
It was one of the worst FC Barcelona performances in recent memory, but PSG were also at their absolute best.
In truth, they could have won by an even bigger margin.
They finished the game with 16 shots on goal, 10 of those on target.
Follow Us
“