Fireworks in Paris

In this UEFA Champions League Round-of-16 2nd Leg between Paris Saint-Germain & Borussia Dortmund; it was the French champions who wanted it more. You would think both sides are just abut even on paper; but it was the sheer determination & awesome work-rate of the French side that took them through.

Down 2-1 from the first leg; the French side started off well & tried to impose their will on the contest. Dortmund were surprisingly a tad lackadaisical and did not utilise their flanks well; made all the more difficult by PSG wingers Angel di Maria & Neymar tracking back to do their defensive work.

In the 28th minute; it was Neymar; who had a brilliant game all-round; who headed them in front from a corner after poor Dortmund defending. Worse was to follow from the Germans; as Juan Bernat dashed in-field from his left-back position; won the ball; and proceeded to produce a deft flick that bamboozled the German defence.

There were no fans allowed inside the stadium. But this didn't stop them from congregating en masse outside and setting off fireworks at the start of the match. Towards the end of the match; there was 'fireworks' of a different kind; as Emre Can clattered into Neymar rather unceremoniously; leading to a major scuffle & free-for-all that spilled outside the pitch involving players; officials; managers & God-knows-who. At the end of the melee; referee Anthony Taylor produced a yellow; then red for Can; and a yellow for Angel di Maria (who was by then seated on the substitutes' bench); Neymar and captain Marquinhos.

At the end of the contest; the French side celebrated like they had won it all. It was a marvelous performance from them. They just wanted it more.