Birthday kid Di Maria celebrates as PSG whip Barca

Feb 15, 2017-Paris St Germain's Angel Di Maria was getting it done as he scored twice on his birthday in a 4-0 first-leg annihilation of a worn out Barcelona side who now have a mountain to move in their Champions League last-16 conflict.

The Argentina winger, 29, scored in every half with PSG's Germany midfielder Julian Draxler and Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani likewise finding the net as the French champions tore separated a complicated Barca side who have everything to do in the arrival.

PSG, disposed of by the Catalans in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2013 and 2015, were the more forceful side at the Parc des Princes and have placed themselves in a summoning position in front of the March 8 second leg at the Camp Nou.

Five-times European champions Barca, with their trident of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar repressed, have not left in the last 16 since going out to Liverpool in the 2006/07 season and the score equalled their most exceedingly terrible Champions alliance misfortune.

"It's difficult to have a superior execution and birthday. I'm extremely content with how the group played. It was an awesome show, completely merited," said Di Maria, who is returning to his best since Draxler joined shape Vfl Wolfsburg a month ago.

Shocked Barca mentor Luis Enrique said of the PSG side: "They are world class players with a considerable measure of value. Di Maria specifically was, great. They have a major assaulting potential are hard in resistance and unbelievable on the ball.

The main sympathy toward home mentor Unai Emery was the loss of the great Marco Verratti to a leg damage in the second half after the Italy worldwide had put on a world class show with individual midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

PSG were perilous on the break from the begin and verged on scoring in the eleventh moment when commander Blaise Matuidi's grating shot was splendidly parried by attendant Marc-Andre ter Stegen after a flawless through ball from Rabiot.

CAVANI STRIKES

The home side were compensated seven minutes after the fact, however, when Di Maria whipped a free kick over the divider into the net.

Barcelona kept on playing their patient ownership amusement however neglected to undermine and their clear lack of concern was rebuffed again five minutes before the break.

Messi lost the ball in midfield and Verratti slid an impeccably weighted ball to one side for Draxler, who discharged a low shot into the far base corner of the net.

PSG began the second half firmly and proceeded in the 55th moment when Di Maria moved around Andres Iniesta before twisting a 25-meter shot past Ter Stegen.

Verratti limped off the contribute some uneasiness following 71 minutes, being supplanted by Chris Nkunku.

It didn't prevent PSG from keeping on pushing forward, however, and a moment later Cavani, who was praising his 30th birthday, rifled a low shot past Ter Stegen for his seventh objective in seven recreations in the opposition this season.

The hosts additionally guarded consummately, with focus back Presnel Kimpembe assigning radiantly on his Champions League make a big appearance for harmed chief Thiago Silva as PSG asserted a merited triumph.

Barca had an opportunity to escape objective seven minutes from time yet Samuel Umtiti's header hit Kevin Trapp's correct hand post and Luis Enrique's side now confront a gigantic test.

No group have ever upset a shortage of at least four objectives to advance in the Champions League knockout stages.