Paris Saint-Germain secured an impressive 4–2 victory over Barcelona in a thrilling UEFA Champions League encounter at the Parc des Princes, as the reigning European champions claimed all three points in the third round of the competition.
PSG made an aggressive start, putting Barcelona under pressure with several shots on target. However, the hosts suffered an early setback in the 20th minute when Ousmane Dembélé, a former Barcelona player, was forced off with an injury. Ferran Torres, another former Barcelona forward, came on as his replacement.
Five minutes later, PSG came close to opening the scoring, but Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García denied Torres in a one-on-one situation. Barcelona were also forced into a change in the 27th minute, with Fermín López replacing the injured Dani Olmo.
PSG’s pressure finally paid off in the 38th minute when Désiré Doué fired a low shot into the back of the net to give the hosts the lead. Moments later, Fermín López missed a golden opportunity to equalise, failing to beat Matvey Safonov in a one-on-one chance. PSG went into half-time with a deserved 1–0 advantage.
Barcelona stunned the home crowd in the 55th minute when Xavi Espart found the net to bring the visitors level at 1–1.
PSG’s problems deepened four minutes later, as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Marquinhos were both forced off through injury in the 59th minute.
Despite the setbacks, PSG continued to threaten. In the 71st minute, Ferran Torres came agonisingly close to scoring against his former club, but his effort struck the post. Just a minute later, Lucas Hernández restored PSG’s lead with a superb header, making it 2–1.
Barcelona refused to back down, and Lamine Yamal struck in the 79th minute with a finish from a tight angle to level the score at 2–2. However, PSG responded almost immediately, with Vitinha producing an excellent strike in the 81st minute to put the hosts ahead once again.
The Parisian side sealed the victory in the 87th minute when Fabián Ruiz delivered an excellent pass for Achraf Hakimi, who finished from close range to complete the scoring at 4–2.
The victory took PSG to nine points, moving them to the top of the Champions League standings. Barcelona, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat of the season, remaining on six points and dropping to fifth place.
