Pau Cubarsi shone for Barcelona against PSG in the Champions League (Image: Getty)
Paris Saint-Germain have jokingly been told to check the passports of Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal after the teenage duo shone for Barcelona in the Champions League. Cubarsi and Yamal, 17 and 16 respectively, excelled in Barca’s thrilling 3-2 win over the French champions.
Cubarsi was part of a Barca defence that limited Kylian Mbappe to just two shots. The centre-back had several moments where he nullified the threat of the France captain.
Yamal, meanwhile, impressed in the final third and built on some impressive performances in La Liga. Barca placed one foot in the Champions League semi-finals by completing a fantastic comeback in the French capital.
Former Leeds star Raphinha put the reigning La Liga champions ahead, but PSG turned the game around thanks to goals from Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha. Raphinha equalised before Andreas Christensen scored the winner just moments after coming off the bench.
Watch all the Premier League and Champions League drama unfold on TNT Sports
Lamine Yamal has excelled since his introduction into Barcelona’s first team (Image: Getty)
But while Raphinha and Christensen scored the important goals that give Barca an advantage to take home to Catalonia, it was Cubarsi and Yamal who caught the eye. TNT Sports’ commentary team even joked that PSG may want to check the passports of the duo to make sure they are the ages they claim to be – such was their mature displays.
Commentator Darren Fletcher said: “I tell you what, Cubarsi has had some half back there hasn’t he. He hasn’t given the ball away and defensively he’s been outstanding.”
Fletcher’s co-commentator, Lucy Ward, added: “I have to say about Barcelona’s academy, it certainly prepares players to play at this level. You look at Yamal, Cubarsi… you know they’re ready to play. It doesn’t matter how old they are.”
DON’T MISS…
Man City star begs Pep Guardiola to drop him for Premier League clash with Luton
Erling Haaland torn to bits after Man City rescue draw against Real Madrid
Man City boss Pep Guardiola claims Phil Foden was ‘grumpy’ with him
That prompted Fletcher to quip: “I wonder whether the PSG hierarchy might want to check some passports at half-time just to check they really are 16 and 17, respectively.”
In the second half, Fletcher revealed that TNT Sports pundit Owen Hargreaves believes Cubarsi possesses similar qualities to Barca icon Ronald Koeman. The teenager, who has already made his senior debut for Spain, is exceptional in possession and reads the game well.
Fletcher said: “Owen Hargreaves said to me last night that when you see Pau Curbasi in the flesh – and that’s the first time I’m doing that tonight – that he’ll remind you of Ronald Koeman and you can see exactly what he means. Very good defensively but his distribution is outstanding for a player so young.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1887116/PSG-Barcelona-Champions-League-Cubarsi-Yamal