Neymar scored two goals as Barcelona beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 to seal its return to the Champions league semi-finals, joining Europe’s elite four teams for the seventh time in eight seasons. Neymar had already netted Barcelona’s first goal in its 3-1 first-leg win, and the Brazil striker struck in the 14th and 34th minutes to crush PSG’s already slim hopes of a quarter-final comeback. Barcelona’s dominance was so complete that, despite Neymar’s brace, Andres Iniesta was arguably the best player on the Camp Nou pitch. The veteran midfielder used a breathtaking solo run through the heart of the visitors’ defense to set up Neymar for the opener. The Brazilian then took advantage of PSG’s lax marking to head home his second goal from Dani Alves’ cross.
“Iniesta, in the first goal, he did it all. I only had to dribble the goalkeeper,” Neymar said. “We are playing at our best both in the Champions league and the Spanish league. We have to keep it up.” Neymar’s double gave him 30 goals for the season as the 23-year-old star continues to flourish. He forms a deadly three-prong attack with lionel Messi and luis Suarez, who have taken Barcelona one step closer to adding to its four European Cups and have kept the club in contention for the Spanish league and Copa del Rey titles.
“We had a great start to the game, it was decisive,” said luis Enrique. “I don’t want to look too far ahead, but I hope the best is yet to come. That’s what my players have been playing for this season, to be in the position to win titles.” Despite needing to score three goals, PSG seemed more worried about keeping a clean sheet and sat back instead of pressing Barcelona in its own half, a strategy that almost paid dividends for Valencia over the weekend.