PSG beat Barcelona 4-2 but face Ousmane Dembele injury concern
Paris Saint-Germain are perfect after three Champions League league-phase matches, with the holders beating Barcelona 4-2 in Paris to reach nine points — but Ousmane Dembele’s first-half injury will now be assessed before next week’s trip to Villarreal.
PSG punish Barcelona in six-goal night
Desire Doue hailed PSG’s ruthless finishing after the French champions ended Barcelona’s 11-match unbeaten Champions League run. The 19-year-old opened the scoring and said the home side had met the level demanded by elite opposition.
“We expected a match of the highest quality and we were ready for it,” Doue said. “We played some very good football and took our chances. We knew Barcelona could score, so the objective was to score more than them. They are a strong team, but getting the victory is fantastic.”
- PSG’s high press made an immediate impact after 79 seconds, when Pedri lost possession and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia struck the post.
- Joan Garcia kept Barcelona level with saves from Dembele, while Ferran Torres was denied twice after replacing the injured PSG forward.
- At the other end, PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov stopped efforts from Raphinha and Fermin Lopez.
- Doue finally put PSG ahead in the 38th minute, drilling a low shot into the corner after another influential display following his recent showing against Manchester City.
Barcelona faced 10 shots on target before half-time, their highest total conceded in a Champions League first half since records began in the 2003-04 campaign.
Rapid PSG replies decide the contest
- Barcelona drew level 10 minutes after the interval when 19-year-old full-back Xavi Espart finished at the near post.
- Lucas Hernandez restored PSG’s lead from a corner, rising high to power in a header.
- Lamine Yamal then beat Warren Zaire-Emery and made it 2-2 for the visitors.
- PSG answered in under two minutes: Vitinha controlled a clearance on his chest before volleying the ball home.
- Fabian Ruiz sealed the result after Achraf Hakimi delivered a low cross.
Doue said PSG’s response to Barcelona’s equalisers reflected the side’s belief under pressure.
“Whatever happens in a game, we try to remain concentrated,” he said. “We know what we can do and that we can score at any time — even straight after conceding. We stayed on task tonight and handled that well.”
What happens next
PSG have scored 14 goals across their first three league-phase fixtures, equalling Arsenal’s Champions League mark from 2010-11. They are also the first club since Barcelona’s run between September 2016 and March 2017 to score at least four goals in three successive home games in the competition.
The French side head to Spain to face Villarreal on Tuesday, November 3, with Dembele’s condition the immediate concern. Barcelona stay on six points and host Aston Villa at Camp Nou on the same night.
