Three-peat? PSG make Champions League statement despite injuries in Barcelona thriller
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.
Already a member?
Log in
Paris St Germain stayed top of the Champions League league phase on goal difference after late goals from Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz sealed a thrilling 4-2 win over Barcelona at Parc des Princes.
The victory gave Luis Enrique’s side three wins from three games in the competition.
Vitinha found the net from just outside the area in the 81st minute, moments after Lamine Yamal had drawn Barcelona level with a wonderful solo goal. Ruiz then made sure of the result shortly before the final whistle.
Barcelona’s defensive frailty proved costly, with the number of mistakes made at the back ultimately hamstrunging Xavi Espart and Yamal’s second-half goals.
Until the late flurry of goals, Barcelona had keeper Joan Garcia to thank for keeping them in contention. He made two saves in the first five minutes alone.
At the other end, a driving run swept Pedri into the PSG area, but Matvey Safonov palmed his shot to safety. Anthony Gordon then missed a great opportunity at the far post.
Garcia brilliantly kept out an attempt by Ferran Torres after he was played in by Joao Neves.
Somehow PSG were denied the opener as they swarmed around the box firing off shots, with Barcelona’s keeper again coming to the rescue.
Torres had stepped off the bench as a 20th-minute replacement for the injured Ousmane Dembele, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also went off with a physical issue. But it was Desire Doue who put the defending champions ahead as half-time approached.
The goal began with an error as Barcelona continued their theme of giving the ball away easily.
PSG pounced in a flash, setting up Doue, who tucked a fine shot into the bottom left corner.
England winger Gordon was denied by Safonov in a one-on-one with the keeper that also saw him accidentally kick defender Willian Pacho in the head. Barcelona trailed at the interval for the first time this season.
It was Garcia’s skills that were keeping them in touch as he made another superb stop early in the second half. But in the 56th minute the Spanish giants were level.
Fermin Lopez played a one-two with Espart that released the right-back, and his run ended with a slick finish.
PSG should have retaken the lead in the 72nd minute only for Torres to hit the right post from point-blank range. Their second did arrive moments later when Lucas Hernandez powered home a header from a corner.
Barcelona hit back as Yamal glided past Warren Zaire-Emery before pulling the trigger for a wonderful solo goal, but the champions rose to the occasion magnificently.
