Cometh the hour, cometh the man – Neymar put up a masterclass display at Lisbon and helped PSG advance to the semifinals. It was his night, where played like a champion!
Most of the people around the globe had not yet switched on the television. While those who were watching live had not yet fully involved in the action-packed clash of the first quarterfinals of Champions League.
UNBELIEVABLE! @PSG_English are into the semi-final of the @ChampionsLeague after a 2-1 win!
❤️ #WeAreParis ?#ATAPSG pic.twitter.com/NjF50z9TBm
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 12, 2020
The game was just 4 minutes old. Neymar dribbled past the Atalanta defence all his own and then race through one-on-one with Spoirteillo only to slice a wonderful opportunity wide of the right side of the post. Kylian Mbappe had his head in his hands in the stand. Thomas Tuchel was left stunned. The fans could not believe it!
Neymar can’t miss those, can he?
A MASSIVE miss by Neymar, who had only the goalie to beat for an early PSG lead. pic.twitter.com/6uhddnEUTp
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 12, 2020
That miss struck badly in the minds of the fans and immediately the fears of another famous choke by the French Team cropped up in the deepest corners of the heart. The impact of the miss was such that the backline of the injury-hit Paris Saint-Germain got nervous.
Keylor Navas then produced two outstanding stops to keep out headers from Hans Hateboer and Mattia Caldara, although the latter had been in an offside position.
Neymar created another opening only to fail to take advantage, but Pasalic made no mistake 27 minutes in, curling a first-time finish past Navas after the ball deflected into his path off Duvan Zapata.
That goal just shook everyone except Gian Piero Gasperini and his boys.
Neymar has shown again he is, apart from Messi, the player that creates more magic and provokes more chances in the world (what a pass to Mbappe!), plus he has enough personality to take any team on his shoulders. Imagine if had been more accurate today. Extraordinary footballer
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 12, 2020
Okay, let’s get ready for another choke and banters from the renowned media houses and their experts.
PSG just don’t have the temperament to overcome the challenges in the big stage.
But the boy from Brazil, who had digested enough in the last two years never wanted to give up.
With major players absent, the hopes rested on him and the Brazilian is such a character that he can turn things around if he remains focused enough.
Neymar totally sent Pasalic back to Chelsea with that skill..MY GOD!!?? pic.twitter.com/d792XxiYST
— Future of the Universe (@Waynejamil) August 12, 2020
Neymar had become the only PSG player looking likely to score and yet was the reason they went into half-time behind, the Brazil star dancing his way through and rifling wide and then blazing over after an errant backpass from Hateboer.
Berat Djmisiti flashed a shot wide following a set-piece before Tuchel turned to Mbappe with just over half an hour remaining and then threw on Julian Draxler as desperation grew.
Mbappe drilled a shot straight at Marco Sportiello and Neymar did likewise after another mazy run, and a brilliant challenge from Jose Luis Palomino denied Mbappe from close range.
Neymar Júnior vs. Atalantapic.twitter.com/RX0AxvfrGc
— ً (@LSComps) August 12, 2020
Atalanta’s plans were simple – hold Neymar off and defend the one-goal advantage to script a famous victory. There was no Gasperini way of style in the second half, but he went the Italian way.
No luck. Opportunities went begging. The clock was moving fast.
But Neymar never wanted to give up.
The boy from Brazil is entrusted with the big responsibility to carry the legacy of Pele, Garrincha, Romario, Ronaldo O Fenomeno, Bebeto, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho. He is the boy from the land of champions and champions keep trying until the end. Neymar kept on trying and was fighting against the fast-moving-time. He wanted to win desperately – even when few seconds are left in the clock, Neymar would dig deep and create opportunities.
GOOOOOOOOOAL
OMG.. Marquinhos, last minute goal!????????
The match is live on @FDLM30 #ATAPSG
— SnapGoal (@SnapGoal) August 12, 2020
In the 89-minute, Neymar turned a deep cross into Marquinhos’ path and he finished via the knee of Caldara.
We’ve seen this play so much this season.
Neymar passes forward to Mbappé, Mbappé squares it to the number 9. You know it’s coming, but sometimes it’s just impossible to stop. https://t.co/B8XIJ471EH
— Brasil Football ?? (@BrasilEdition) August 12, 2020
PSG were on level terms and when extra-time actions were looming large, Neymar essayed a golden pass that released Mbappe on the left who drilled the ball across the box and Choupo-Moting slid in to send PSG in the semifinals of the Champions League for the second time in their history.
Neymar’s pass to Mbappé is incredible in slow motion.
Everything about his body shape indicates to the defender that the ball will be played on the outside. Then while off balance he manages to slide it through the smallest of gaps, weighted perfectly. pic.twitter.com/QgdoAAZUOu
— AllThingsSeleção ™ (@SelecaoTalk) August 13, 2020
In the twinkle of an eye, Gasperrini’s dreams shattered.
In the twinkle of an eye, Neymar was seen celebrating with his teammates.
16 – Neymar completed 16 dribbles against Atalanta tonight, the most by a player in a single Champions League match since Lionel Messi v Manchester United in April 2008. Twist. #ATAPSG pic.twitter.com/WpT1ONRZVV
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 12, 2020
It was his night, where he marshaled the game all his own like Garrincha and Romario and never let the shoulders of his teammate down. He was the leader of men – the leader who fought like a Cornered Tiger.
Even though Gasperini said that he would tackle Neymar with his style of play, but when he noticed that the Brazilian was hard to stop, he planned to limit the spaces for Neymar.
He had 112 touches in the match, created four chances, contested 33 duels, and attempted 50 passes in the Atalanta half – and played a key role in both goals.
Who else but Neymar – the boy from Brazil helped a fragile unit advance!