PSG vs Barcelona: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Barcelona earned a nice 2-2 away draw in the first leg of their Champions League match with Paris Saint-Germain. However, they have to be leaving the Parc des Princes with a bitter taste in their mouth after allowing a late goal to blow a golden chance at victory. 

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, PSG's Blaise Matuidi fired a shot that was slightly deflected just enough to slide past Victor Valdes, and level the score.

Of course, this was just the continuation of a late flurry of action in a wildly entertaining game. 

Lionel Messi scored the first half's only goal in the 39th minute. That goal was made possible by some nifty play by Dani Alves. 

This was Messi's 59th career Champions League goal, which leaves him second only to Raul Gonzalez, who has 71. However, it was not all promising for Messi on this day. The great tweaked his hamstring just before halftime. As ESPN FC tweets, this injury will be further evaluated: 

At the time of Messi's goal, Barcelona had to be feeling pretty good about their chances. They were outplayed by PSG early in this match, and they were lucky to escape the opening without surrendering a goal. 

With both defenses playing well after Messi's goal, that 1-0 lead held until the 79th minute. That is when Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a measure of revenge by netting an equalizer.

With the intensity quickly picking up, Barca went on the attack, and in the 89th minute Xavi earned a penalty. He converted and it looked like the goal would hand Barca a nice 2-1 advantage heading into the second leg. 

However, Blaise Matuidi had different plans as he fired his booming kick to tie it up.

Grades

Thiago Silva: B+

Thiago Silva has never shied away from big moments. He thrived under the pressure and spotlight of this match. He was outstanding on defense all match.

Silva stopped several chances by Messi in the first half and for the game he had four tackles.  

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: A

Ibrahimovic's great day was about far more than his goal, which looked like a botched offside by the refs.

However, his physical play helped set the tone for his team and he also had a key header to help set up the game's final score. 

Victor Valdes: B

I'm sure Valdes would like a redo on the match's final goal. However, he shouldn't dwell on that. The keeper had a nice match and an excellent first half with several key saves. 

David Villa: D

David Villa offered up very little in this match. It was hard to even notice the forward was on the pitch, and for much of the second half he wasn't, as he was subbed out.