The 37-year-old became the first
Englishman to play in the
competition for four different clubs
– Manchester United, Real Madrid,
AC Milan – and now Paris Saint-
Germain.
And a last-gasp goal by Blaise
Matuidi in the Parc des Princes
last night meant Beckham and PSG
have an even chance when they
travel to Barcelona for the second
leg next Wednesday.
Beckham lined up for his return to
Champions League action for the
first time in three years, and only
his second start for his new club
since joining them on a five-month
deal in January.
Beckham, given a defensive
midfield role by coach Carlo
Ancelotti, was his usual
industrious self. He chased and
harried with all the enthusiasm of
a 20-year-old and showed
glimpses of his superb passing.
But he could not stamp his
authority on the game and picked
up a second-half booking, before
being substituted after 70 minutes.
Barcelona – boosted by the return
of coach Tito Vilanova after a two-
month absence undergoing
chemotherapy for throat cancer –
struck in the 38th minute.
Dani Alves’s defence-splitting pass
with the outside of his right foot
found Lionel Messi, who rifled
home a low angled shot. It was his
eighth Champions League goal of
the season and 57th in all
competitions.
Messi was forced off at half-time
with a hamstring problem and PSG
equalised in controversial
circumstances 11 minutes from
time. Thiago Motta thumped a
header against the bar and Zlatan
Ibrahimovic, clearly offside, slotted
home the rebound, with German
referee Wolfgang Stark ignoring
Barca’s protests.Then PSG keeper
Salvatore Sirigu tripped Alexis
Sanchez and Xavi scored the
penalty.
It looked all over for PSG but with
seconds remaining Matuidi’s
speculative shot from the edge of
the box took a slight deflection
and wrong-footed Victor Valdes,
who could only help it in to the
net.
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