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For 90 minutes, Atalanta B.C. had done just enough to pull a massive upset and advance to the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League.
And five minutes later, they were on their way back to Bergamo, Italy with only a story to tell.
In stunning fashion, PSG defeated Atalanta 2-1 in Libson to advance with two goals in the 90th minute and beyond. The first a tap-in from Marquinhos after a botched cross from Neymar Jr. that was deflected to the perfect spot to draw the Red and Blues even.
Goal/Gol/Golazo : MARQUINHOS Marquinhos Atalanta 1 : 1 Paris Saint Germain #AtalantaPSG #Atalanta #PSG #PSGAtalanta #UCL #ATAPSG pic.twitter.com/tYIPtON152
— Touchline (@touchline_fm_) August 12, 2020
And the second came via some crisp passing that saw Neymar play in Kylian Mbappé, who played it square for a gift to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Goal/Gol/Golazo : Maxim Choupo Moting Atalanta 1 : 2 Paris Saint Germain #AtalantaPSG #Atalanta #PSG #PSGAtalanta #UCL #ATAPSG pic.twitter.com/IB5iUW7buK
— Touchline (@touchline_fm_) August 12, 2020
At the death, Atalanta indeed died. The upstart club that has finished back-to-back third place in Serie A was competing in their first UEFA Champions League ever, and ended up mere minutes from the semifinals. Instead it’s just heartbreak for the swashbuckling side that played fearless football the entire tournament.
But it was likely the right result, as for most of the day the Parisians bossed Lisbon like Napoleon’s Army in 1807. Despite some finishing from Neymar that would have looked below standard in most middle schools, they had the run of play and chances most of the match.
xG map for Atalanta - PSG
— Caley Graphics (@Caley_graphics) August 12, 2020
Atalanta opened strong and then seemed to run into a brick wall at about 20'. They nearly stole a result anyway but of course they didn't. pic.twitter.com/TZBekgvOXc
For PSG backers, the comeback saves their bacon. They were +102 to advance via regular time, and -210 to reach the next round overall. It also puts the club in the Final Four of Europe for the first time in a quarter-century.
So I guess you could say...
Atalanta blew a 28-3 lead
— Collin Sherwin (@CollinSherwin) August 12, 2020
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