Barcelona took a big step towards the Champions League semi-finals last night as a goal from Neymar and a Luis Suarez double ended Paris St Germain’s 33-game unbeaten run at home in Europe with a 3-1 win at the Parc des Princes.
Porto also opened a two-goal advantage as Ricardo Qua-resma’s two early goals and a second-half strike from Jackson Martinez helped a slick Porto complete a stunning 3-1 home victory over a sloppy Bayern Munich.
PSG, who were without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, suspended for one game after picking up a red card in the last-16 second leg at Chelsea, fell behind when Neymar netted from close range at the end of a quick counter attack in the 18th minute.
Suarez doubled the tally in the 67th after slaloming through the PSG defence, who lost captain Thiago Silva to a possible hamstring injury after 21 minutes, and wrapped it up 11 minutes from time with a curling shot into the top corner.
Gregory van der Wiel reduced the deficit in the 82nd minute as PSG suffered their first loss at home in Europe since 2006 ahead of the return leg at the Nou Camp next Tuesday.
Porto raced out of the blocks with two goals in the opening 10 minutes, Quaresma converting from the penalty spot and then finishing neatly as Bayern Munich’s sluggish defending was severely punished.
Five-times champions Bayern clawed their way back into the tie when midfielder Thiago Alcantara steered home at the far post after 28 minutes.
But Martinez pounced on an error by Jerome Boateng after 65 minutes and rounded Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer to re-establish Porto’s two-goal advantage heading into the return leg on April 21.
Bayern came into the game, a repeat of the 1987 European Cup final which Porto won 2-1, ravaged by injuries and robbed of the services of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Bastian Schweinsteiger and David Alaba among others.
It was, however, a different story for Porto, who welcomed back Martinez from a hamstring injury.
The Colombia striker wasted little time in making his mark, robbing a dawdling Xabi Alonso of the ball on the edge of the Bayern box before being felled by Neuer’s outstretched leg.
The Bayern keeper was perhaps lucky to receive just a yellow card, but his punishment was swiftly increased as Quaresma stepped up to stroke the penalty into the bottom corner.
There was no time for the visitors’ nerves to settle as Quaresma pounced on another mistake, robbing Dante before dashing through and beating Neuer with an expertly-taken finish with the outside of his boot.
It looked like Bayern could be on the end of an embarrassing scoreline but they clawed a goal back on 28 minutes when Alcantara slotted home.
An expected, Bayern fightback failed to materialise, however, and the visitors were grateful to Neuer for pulling off a fingertip save early in the second half to prevent Boateng scoring an own goal.
Bayern’s dismal defending cost them further when Boateng failed to deal with a high ball and Martinez stole in to round Neuer and sidefoot home.
Quarter-finals
Played yesterday
Porto vs Bayern Munich - 3-1
Paris SG vs Barcelona - 1-3
Second legs – April 21
Played Tuesday
Atl. Madrid vs Real Madrid - 0-0
Juventus vs Monaco - 1-0
Second legs – April 22