Legendary Goals: Episode 1

Many goals decide football matches, some decide titles but a few of them defines history. One of them came from the FC Barcelona versatile midfielder on March 8, 2017, when he scored the goal that rewrote the history. The significance of Sergi Roberto in the Barcelona and Champions League history is immense as the world had never witnessed such a comeback before. PSG choked and Barcelona made most of it as they turned the game on its head in seven minutes showing the world that a football match is not over before the ninety minutes.

It was a Champions League round of 16 night at the Camp Nou and Barcelona were trailing 4-0 on the first leg deficit against Paris Saint-Germain F.C. The match kicked off at the Camp Nou in some style as Suarez scored in first 5 minutes to make it 1-4 on the aggregate. Barcelona added another goal after 40 minutes after Iniesta showed a bit of skill in the penalty box and the ball got deflected from the PSG players to go inside the back of a net. Half-time whistle blew. In the second half, Neymar earned a penalty after tripped by Meunier which was converted by Messi from the spot and the comeback was looking on the cards. But 12 minutes Cavani rifles a half-volley into the roof of the net to give PSG a precious away goal and now Barcelona needed three more goals with around 30 minutes left on the clock. The clock kept ticking and at the 87th minute Neymar scored with a freekick to keep the hopes alive and a few minutes later Suarez earned a controversial penalty which Neymar converted to make the score 5-5 on aggregate but still, PSG was leading the match on away goals.

The Goal

As the game went into the injury-time and the light in the stadium were going dim and every cule praying. Barcelona won a free-kick wide on the left and Ter Stegen advanced up the field from his goal. Neymar delivered the free-kick into the penalty area and Roberto it was who got in behind the defence to volley past Trapp. Incredible scenes at the Camp Nou as Barcelona had overturned a 4-0 deficit to send Paris Saint-Germain out of the Champions League with three goals in the final seven minutes. It had never been done before – this must be the greatest comeback in the history of the game.

Sergio Roberto on his goal

Sergi Roberto looked back on that magical match in an interview with FC Barcelona media, and explained his joy that people remember his goal:

“I’m very happy that people always remind me of that goal,” he said, admitting that he has watched the game back many times. “The night after the goal, I couldn’t sleep,” he continued.