Wonderkid Cubarsi's Mbappe matchup key to Barca hopes

BARCELONA — The resurrection of Barcelona's defense gives the Spanish champion hope ahead of its Champions League duel with Paris Saint-Germain and youngster Pau Cubarsi's emergence has played a major role.

The 17-year-old has become essential for coach Xavi Hernandez and debuted for the Spanish national team in March, highlighting his meteoric rise.

Cubarsi has shown he can handle the pressure at elite level — just as well, for on Wednesday Cubarsi will face arguably the world's finest forward in PSG's Kylian Mbappe, in the first leg of their quarterfinal clash in Paris.