Barcelona experienced a disappointing defeat at home to PSG. The Champions League quarter showdown saw Barcelona host PSG in the second leg. The first leg had ended in favor of Barcelona at the Parc des Princes. The Catalans had won 3-2 away from home. However, the second Leg in Spain was a different ball game. They got pummeled!
The loss didn’t just evict them from the UEFA Champions League. It inhibited from qualifying for the 2025 Club World Cup. Moreover Atletico Madrid their Spanish rivals qualified in their place. Although the Madrid side lost, it was a narrow one.
Barcelona’s Loss at Home to PSG
The Catalans started their game against PSG in high spirits. They led early in the 12th minute with a goal from Raphina. It was already looking like a cakewalk for the Spanish side, until a silly error from Araujo. The Barca center-back miss timed his tackle and went in on Barcola. Though it seemed to be a soft tackle, he was the last man behind the goal. The referee saw it to be a red card, as he impeded a goal-scoring chance.
The game dynamics changed allowing PSG to run riot. Barcelona’s former player Ousmane Dembele was the first to break the ice.
In the second half, Vitinha added to the lead. Kylian Mbappe added more to the misery by scoring from a spot kick. In the 89th a quick counter goal from Mbappe shattered the hopes of the Catalans.
Big Loss Gives Atletico Madrid Edge
Despite losing 4-2 to Borrusia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid will still qualify for the 2025 Club World Cup. The 32-man FIFA tournament is meant to be hosted in the United States next year. The qualifiers are picked based on club rankings. And additionally based on their performance in their respective continental tournament.
Before Barcelona’s 2nd Leg match, they were above Atletico Madrid in qualifying for the tournament. But after the big loss with an aggregate of 4-6, the Madrid side overcame them. Atletico Madrid also lost but with an aggregate of 5-4.
Details of the Club World Cup
The FIFA tournament is designed to accommodate 12 European teams. Within the 12 teams are the Champions League winners in the past four years. This year Champions League winners will be included, including Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Chelsea. Alongside is some set of high-ranked teams. Ranging from Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, PSG, Porto, Dortmund, Benfica, Juventus, and now Atletico. Arsenal will not partake because of their eviction in the Champions League.
The Likes of Liverpool, Barcelona, and AC Milan will also miss out despite their high FIFA ranking. Even if they win a major trophy this season, they won’t still qualify for the tournament. This is because of the limited amount of entries for the European team. It could have been possible if any one of them had won their continental tournament twice in a row.
Already there are 22 teams qualified for the tournament. With Clubs from Asia, South America, and Europe. The last set of qualified teams will be determined by the end of the year. By then all worldwide continental tournaments would have been a wrap.
More Hurdles Ahead
Barcelona will be focusing their attention on the La Liga. However, their chances of winning the tournament is very small. Yet they can’t be a total right off. Their next game will be the 257th ElClassico. They’ll travel to the Bernabeu to visit Real Madrid. Their hopes will be to win the game, to ever get a shot at winning their league.
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