What happens when a €222 million-worth unstoppable force meets an €80 million-worth immovable object? Well, there’s a good chance that you end up getting a contest of epic proportions.
And that’s exactly what fans witnessed as Neymar and Lucas Hernandez battled it out in one of the most exciting games of football this season.
It was an intense affair as Bayern Munich took on Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at the Parc des Princes last night.
A riveting Champions League game that lived up to its expectations and then some as Bayern edged PSG 1-0 but were unable to progress due to the result in the first leg at Allianz Arena.
Despite not scoring a goal, PSG were a force to be reckoned with attack-wise as Neymar, Mbappe and Di Maria wreaked havoc from the onset.
The Brazilian was especially in a menacing mood as he took defenders on will and completed 6 out of 9 dribbles he attempted. The former Barcelona man even struck the woodwork twice and was a constant thorn on Manuel Neuer’s side.
Though as good as Neymar was on the night, it is safe to say that he met his match in Lucas Hernandez. The French defender shut down everything that Neymar and Mbappe had to offer as he won possession 12 times during the 90 minutes (Squawka).
Neymar is easily one of the worst players to mark in the world of football. The Brazilian is quick on his feet, an excellent dribbler and very smart with his touches and despite all that, Lucas Hernandez stood firm and, won the viewers over with his performance last night.
Football fans appreciated the duel as Neymar and Lucas Hernandez stacked up against each other last night –
This Neymar vs Lucas Hernandez battle is popping 😭😭
— Decor and the Ambiance (@Reemzestilo) April 13, 2021
Lucas Hernandez vs Neymar has been mesmerising tonight – totally world-class battle.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) April 13, 2021
As fantastic as Neymar has been tonight, Lucas Hernandez’s performance to keep a clean sheet thus far and recover on the counter has been absolutely superb.
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) April 13, 2021
One of the best Champions League games I’ve watched that. Neymar and Mbappe were outrageous first half. Lucas Hernandez MOTM #PSGBAY
— Lee Crammond (@LeeCrammond) April 13, 2021
Both them PSG vs Bayern legs were insane to watch man. Neymar is such a joy to watch and Lucas Hernandez is actually class I can’t lie
— Tom Handley (@Mooseman95) April 13, 2021
Who do you even choose as the MOTM that game?
— EiF (@EiFSoccer) April 13, 2021
Neymar with some of the best dribbling in a Champions League game, ever. Paredes with an outrageous performance. Lucas Hernández practically keeping a clean sheet by himself.
Lost for words. So many memorable performances tonight.
Some thought it was Neymar who had the upper hand
The stare from Neymar was so cold, so dismissive pic.twitter.com/ZvimK67fkR
— Arsenal Column (@ArsenalColumn) April 13, 2021
Neymar looked Hernandez in the eye before making that dribble. He is such a bully.#BAYPSG
— Abdul Rauf Rana (@AbdulRaufRana) April 13, 2021
Neymar has Lucas Hernandez spinning like my ceiling fan
— ABHÌ (@FCB_Lad) April 13, 2021
Though for many, it was Lucas Hernandez who was superior on the night
Lucas Hernandez has been absolutely excellent here dealing with Neymar and has allowed Bayern to send 9 men into the PSG half
— Greg (@ScoutXd1) April 13, 2021
Hernandez was amazing today. Has to be MOTM, he locked neymar up
— ym (@KieranCFC88) April 13, 2021
that hernandez performance was something else, had neymar every time
— Lewis (@lewissefc) April 13, 2021
Absolutely incredible what Hernández defended on his own (!) today against Mbappé and Neymar. World class performance. My personal man of the match.
— Robbéry (@bahacvs) April 13, 2021