But Marquinho's scrappy finish put the game on course for extra-time before substitute Choupo-Moting tapped home from Kylian Mnappe's cross to break the Italian clubs' hearts and seal a stunning win in Lisbon.The coronavirus pandemic had forced Uefa to devise a solution to finish the competition and here it was: a mini-tournament of seven matches, only one-legged ties and all in the city of Lisbon.And what better way to kick off the quarter-finals with Atalanta, the free-scoring neutrals' favourite against PSG, boasting the competition's best defence and aside from Lionel Messi, two of the best attackers in Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.Gian Piero Gasperini was without Josip Ilicic and so he decided to put Mario Pasalic in the front three alongside Papu Gomez and Duvan Zapata.Mbappe was deemed only fit enough to start on the bench following his recovery from an ankle injury sustained in the French Cup final.Certainly, with the tie being played at a neutral venue, anything could happen. But for PSG - so often on the receiving end of dramatic Champions League exits - this was pay-back.La Dea scored 98 goals in Serie A last season, including seven against three different opponents, and they created their first chance after just three minutes when Duvan Zapata threaded a pass into the path of Alejandro Gomez but his shot was saved low down by Keylor Navas.Tuchel's side had gone for much of the past five months without competitive action, aside from their victories in the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue, and their lack of match sharpness showed moments later as Neymar was set clean through on goal but the Brazilian fluffed his shot well wide.PSG's mental issues with the Champions League quarter-finals are well-documented, and that miss seemed to play on the minds of the Parisians as Gian Piero Gasperini's men nearly went in front when Hans Hateboer met Gomez's cross to force Navas into a fine one-handed save after 12 minutes.Kylian Mbappe was named on the bench for PSG following an ankle injury. The ball broke free to the Croatian after a challenge by Zapata on Presnel Kimpembe, and the former Chelsea midfielder curled his shot confidently beyond Navas.Neymar showed glimmers of brilliance but then moments of ineptitude as he missed another glorious chance to level before the break as he latched onto Hateboer's poor backpass but horribly sliced his effort high and wide.Tuchel, who sat on a cooler for much of the match sporting a protective boot, leapt from his seat and used his crutches to march swiftly down the tunnel at half-time knowing his side would need a vast improvement upon the restart.But there were few signs of an equaliser for large parts of the second period as Atalanta nearly doubled their lead when Remo Freuler's cross was flicked on by Pasalic for Berat Djimsiti to slice his effort wide.Kylian Mbappe made an instant impact upon his introduction on the hour-mark as he took Leandro Paredes' pass to force a smart save by Marco Sportiello.Gasperini's back three was increasingly becoming a back five as Tuchel looked to Choupo-Moting with 10 minutes remaining at the same time that his goalkeeper Navas was forced off with an injury and replaced by Sergio Rico.PSG looked like they had run out of ideas but as the fourth official indicated five additional minutes, it was the former Stoke forward whose cross found Neymar onside at the far post, and his brilliant control and cutback allowed Marquinhos to stab home via a deflection off Mattia Caldara.Atalanta were out on their feet and with Remo Freuler a virtual passenger due to an earlier injury, PSG made the extra man count 149 seconds later as Neymar found Mbappe on the overlap down the left to allow Choupo-Moting to complete the most unlikely of comebacks. A stunning late comeback from Paris Saint-Germain spared Neymar's blushes as PSG fought from a goal down to score twice late on and beat Atalanta in the Champions League quarter-finals. It was a crushing blow for Atalanta. (Reuters) The Champions League knockout stages produce great drama and the single-game format for this season’s quarter-finals intensified the emotions as Paris St Germain struck twice in the final minutes to end the fairytale for debutants Atalanta. {{#replies}}
Bergamo was one of the hardest-hit places by the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, with more than 6,000 people dying with COVID-19 in the province. The loose ball fell to Pasalic, who curled it first time past Navas into the far corner.It was a brilliant finish and one entirely worthy of opening the scoring in this mini-tournament.Neymar almost took it upon himself to try to get PSG back in it and therefore only had himself to blame when he spurned another golden chance. But it's a big effort and it's a very big step for all of us. "We are very happy to be part of it [this moment in the club's history]. "Thomas Tuchel blew out his cheeks at the final whistle and he will know how important it is for Mbappe to be fit for the forthcoming semi-final.An ankle injury had meant he was only fit to play 30 minutes, and Tuchel's side were short on ideas prior to the Frenchman's arrival.While he didn't get on the scoresheet himself, he was the catalyst to the comeback. PSG vs. Atalanta score: Paris Saint-Germain stun with two late goals, advance to Champions League semifinals Marquinhos and Choupo-Moting scored in the dying minutes to give PSG the win ""The introduction of Mbappe was decisive. It was his speed of thought to create the overlap that led to PSG's winner.With Neymar having an off night in front of goal, it was for nights like these why Mbappe was bought.Fifty-six per cent of PSG's shots in this match came in the 30 minutes Mbappe was on the pitch (9/16), with no player having more attempts on target than the Frenchman (two).Winning the French league certainly wasn't enough for previous managers Carlo Ancelotti, Laurent Blanc and Unai Emery when they failed to add Champions League success to domestic domination.Wednesday marked the club's 50th birthday, but the Champions League remains elusive for France's most successful club.PSG advance to face either RB Leipzig or Atletico Madrid at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon on Tuesday.RB Leipzig or Atletico Madrid vs Paris Saint-Germain (August 18, Estadio Jose Alvalade)Opt in and bet £25 or more before 23:59 on Sunday to earn a free £5.