Barcelona, PSG claim strong Champions League wins at home

Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are well on the way to the 2024-25 Champions League semifinals after sealing big wins at home on Thursday morning (AEST).

The Blaugrana were far too good for Borussia Dortmund, cruising to a 4-0 victory at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

While the game was delicately poised at the break after Raphinha’s 25th-minute strike, a Robert Lewandowski brace in the second half put the result beyond doubt before Lamine Yamal added the icing in the 77th minute.

Also leading La Liga, Barcelona are $1.86 favourites at Neds to seal their progression with a win in Germany next Wednesday.

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Meanwhile, PSG had to come from behind against Aston Villa, who took the lead at Parc des Princes in the 35th minute through Morgan Rogers.

Parity was restored only four minutes later, however, when 19-year-old Desire Doue found the top corner with a screamer from the edge of the penalty box.

The highlights did not end there, as Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put the hosts ahead four minutes after halftime with a powerful near-post finish after a dazzling run.

Nuno Mendes cashed in with a tidy take in injury time to give PSG a 3-1 result and a big advantage for the return leg on April 16, with online bookmakers installing the French giants as $2 favourites to win in Birmingham.

Top soccer betting sites also have PSG slated at $3.30 to go on and win the Champions League title, with Barcelona heading the market at $3.10.

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