2017 Champions League vs Barcelona (Second Leg)
A historic six-goal thriller that defied all logic and erased a four-goal deficit.
The Second Leg of the Round of 16 clash between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona on March 8, 2017, stands as the most dramatic chapter in the club's European history. Known universally as 'La Remontada' (the Comeback), this match saw PSG overturn a 4-0 aggregate deficit to win 6-1 at Camp Nou, eliminating the defending champions in one of the greatest shocks in Champions League history.
While PSG had dominated domestically for years, this night shattered their reputation for European fragility. The victory marked a turning point where the club's massive investment finally seemed capable of producing historic results on the continent's biggest stage, even if the ultimate prize remained elusive.
- Competition
- UEFA Champions League Round of 16
- Venue
- Camp Nou, Barcelona
- Final Score (Leg)
- FC Barcelona 4 - 6 Paris Saint-Germain
- Aggregate Result
- Paris Saint-Germain 6 - 5 FC Barcelona
- Key Moment
- Edinson Cavani's header equalizing the aggregate score in stoppage time
Lore & Background
Following a crushing 4-0 defeat at home in February, the Parisian squad faced an impossible task: scoring four goals away from home against a Barcelona side featuring Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Neymar. The first leg had exposed PSG's defensive frailties, leading many to believe their European campaign was over before it truly began.
The atmosphere at Camp Nou on March 8 was electric yet heavy with skepticism. As the match progressed into stoppage time with the scoreline still requiring a miracle for PSG, the narrative seemed set for another heartbreak. However, the arrival of substitute Serge Aurier and the subsequent chaos in the final minutes rewrote the history books, turning a routine elimination into an unforgettable spectacle.
In Their Own Story
The clock bled past 90 minutes at the Camp Nou, the air thick with the scent of wet grass and suffocating tension. PSG needed one more goal to force extra time, but Barcelona's wall held firm. Then, in the dying seconds (88'), a corner kick found Edinson Cavani, whose thunderous header crashed into the net. The stadium fell silent for a heartbeat before erupting in confusion. But the drama wasn't over. In stoppage time (90+5'), substitute Serge Aurier sprinted down the right flank, his eyes locked on the goal. He delivered a low, driven cross that sliced through the Barcelona defense, finding Neymar coolly slotting it home. The referee blew the final whistle moments later. Inside the tunnel, players collapsed in disbelief; in the stands, 50,000 PSG fans wept as the impossible became reality.
Reader's Guide
The occasion was the second leg of the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. After suffering a humiliating 4-0 defeat at home in Paris, PSG faced FC Barcelona away with an insurmountable four-goal deficit to overcome.
Barcelona controlled possession early, but PSG's defense held firm until the breakthrough: Neymar converted a penalty in the 3rd minute. However, hope seemed fleeting until the 89th minute when Edinson Cavani headed in a corner to level the aggregate score at 5-5, forcing extra time.
In stoppage time (90+5'), Serge Aurier's pinpoint cross set up Neymar for his fourth goal of the night, sealing a 6-1 victory. This result eliminated Barcelona on away goals and remains the largest comeback in Champions League history. It is remembered not just for the scoreline, but for the sheer improbability of the event, transforming PSG from European underdogs into legends overnight.
Did You Know?
- This match holds the record for the biggest aggregate comeback in UEFA Champions League history (overturning a 4-0 deficit).
- Edinson Cavani's equalizing goal in the 89th minute marked his 100th career goal for Paris Saint-Germain.
- Serge Aurier, who came on as a substitute, provided the crucial assist in stoppage time (90+5') that sealed the historic victory.
- Neymar scored four goals in the match: one penalty and three open-play goals, including the decisive winner in added time.