Champions League: Liverpool edges out PSG in a dramatic finish; Barcelona sets sights on the quarter-finals

The last matchday proved that, in the important knockout rounds of European soccer's top competition, experience is key. FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Inter Milan, four teams that know what it is like to lift the title, managed to beat their respective rivals in the first leg of the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

In the most anticipated match of the four played on Wednesday, Liverpool struck the first blow with a narrow 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes. Despite the defeat, the French were infinitely better than the English, although their efforts were in vain.

Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola and company dominated for much of the 90 minutes, having a plethora of scoring opportunities - as many as 27 chances - although they were unable to penetrate the Liverpool goal, defended by a dominant Allison Becker, who was the star of the game.

The lone goal came in the 87th minute. In a play involving just three Liverpool players, midfielder Harvey Elliott slotted the ball past Italian keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after receiving a pass from Uruguay’s Darwin Núñez, following a long ball from Alisson Becker.

Liverpool will defend their slim lead obtained in the first leg next Tuesday at Anfield.

Raphinha puts Barcelona ahead in the play-offs

Despite playing with ten men for most of the 90 minutes, FC Barcelona managed to beat Benfica - who had plenty of chances to score - away (0-1). Great performance by the azulgrana midfield.

FC Barcelona was down a player in the 22nd minute. Defender Pau Cubarsí was shown the red card after making a strong tackle on one of his opponents to prevent him from scoring Benfica's first goal of the game.

When the situation seemed to go awry, FC Barcelona recovered from Cubarsí's dismissal and began to offer the game they are accustomed to, with Pedri and Frenkie de Jong taking possession of the ball. Benfica kept trying, though.

The goal came in the 61st minute. Winger Raphinha, who continues to be one of the best players of the season, surprised the Portuguese with a powerful low shot from the edge of the area. The Brazilian has nine goals in the UEFA Champions League.

The second leg will be played in Barcelona next Tuesday.

Bayern show their muscle; Inter are through to the quarter-finals

In the German duel, Bayern Munich swept aside Bayer Leverkusen (3-0) at the Allianz Arena. Goals from Harry Kane (2) and Jamal Musiala, in addition to a great choral performance, were too much for the team led by Xabi Alonso, which was far from what it had shown so far.

For their part, Inter Milan put the tie in their favor by beating Feyenoord (0-2) in the Netherlands. The goals came from Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez.