Paris Saint-Germain Given Controversial Penalty After VAR Call Against Barcelona

Paris Saint-Germain went 1-0 up in the Champions League round of 16 first leg courtesy of a controversial first-half penalty.

Barcelona were the dominant side at the Parc Des Princes and created a slew of great chances but had a harsh call go against them on the half hour mark.

Boyhood PSG fan Clement Lenglet inadvertently stepped on the foot of Mauro Icardi as he tried to get on the end of a cross and after Premier League referee Anthony Taylor went to VAR, he awarded the penalty and booked the French international.

Kylian Mbappe, having bagged a hat-trick in the first leg, stepped up and converted to put PSG 1-0 up on the night and make it 5-1 on aggregate.

Fans were fuming with the decision to give the penalty:

Lionel Messi pulled Barcelona level with an absolute thunderbolt from 25 yards out, but then missed a penalty on the stroke of half-time when Keylor Navas saved with his legs and the ball cannoned off the bar and away from danger.

Topics: Paris Saint-Germain, Football, Mauro Icardi, Barcelona, Champions League, Kylian Mbappe, VAR

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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