Andres Iniesta wasn’t having enough fun to take the ball “coast to coast,” so he left it up to Neymar to finish what he started.
Iniesta assisted the first of Neymar’s two goals Tuesday in Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League. Iniesta set up Neymar after embarking on an epic dribble, which made the soccer world buzz with delight.
The game was goal-less in the 14th minute when Iniesta received a pass well inside Barcelona’s half. Iniesta turned and dribbled past three PSG midfielders before slipping a pass to Neymar through two defenders. Neymar then rounded goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu and finished the fine goal with a simple shot into the empty net.
In setting up Neymar’s goal, Iniesta simply was doing what he has done better than any other player in this season’s Champions League.
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Iniesta’s assist drew praise from observers near and far from Barcelona’s Camp Nou (stadium) where the game took place.
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Fellow legend Xavi replaced Iniesta at halftime.
Tuesday’s result gave Barcelona a 5-1 aggregate win over PSG in the Champions League quarterfinals. Barcelona now has reached the Champions League semifinals for the eighth time in the last 10 years.
Iniesta, 30, has been a regular in Barcelona’s midfield in each of those seasons.
Cause, meet effect.
Video via Reddit
Thumbnail photo via Emilio Morenatti/The Associated Press
