PSG Score Two Late Goals to Beat Barcelona 4-2 in Champions League
Paris Saint-Germain struck twice in the final 10 minutes to beat Barcelona 4-2 in the Champions League, staying top of the league-phase table with a perfect nine points from three matches. Barcelona slipped to fifth on six points after their first loss of the campaign, ending an 11-game winning run in all competitions.
PSG regain control after Barcelona resistance
Luis Enrique’s side produced the greater attacking threat throughout, finishing with 22 attempts, 15 on target and 3.73 expected goals. Barcelona twice found equalisers in the second half, but PSG’s pressing, width and late-running midfielders eventually broke the visitors down.
Désiré Doué opened the scoring in the 38th minute, driving home from outside the area after João Neves supplied a headed assist. The contest then swung repeatedly after the interval before Lucas Hernandez headed PSG back in front in the 72nd minute from Doué’s corner.
Barcelona levelled again soon after. Lamine Yamal punished a poor clearance from Warren Zaire-Emery in the 79th minute, beating the substitute before finishing to make it 2-2.
PSG responded immediately. Vitinha restored the lead with an 81st-minute volley from outside the box, before Achraf Hakimi broke forward and crossed for Fabian Ruiz to seal the result in the 86th minute.
Turning points
- Kvaratskhelia hit the left post inside two minutes, while Ousmane Dembélé forced an early save before leaving injured in the 20th minute.
- Doué gave PSG the first-half lead in the 38th minute, with Neves creating the opening.
- Hernandez headed in PSG’s second in the 72nd minute, but Barcelona again drew level through Yamal seven minutes later.
- Vitinha’s long-range volley in the 81st minute shifted the match back toward PSG.
- Ruiz finished Hakimi’s cross five minutes later as PSG’s late intensity settled the tie.
Injuries test Luis Enrique’s depth
PSG had to absorb three injury setbacks. Dembélé’s reunion with his former club ended after 20 minutes because of a thigh problem. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who had struck the post early, was forced off in the 59th minute, while captain Marquinhos also departed with an injury at the same point.
Ferran Torres replaced Dembélé and was heavily involved, forcing a major save from a one-on-one chance in the 25th minute before hitting the right post in the 71st. Ilya Zabarnyi came on for Marquinhos and quickly added stability at the back. Maghnes Akliouche replaced Kvaratskhelia and helped PSG maintain their high press.
Hernandez and Doué were withdrawn in the 78th minute after influential displays, with Zaire-Emery and Senny Mayulu entering. Zaire-Emery endured a difficult moment in the move that led to Yamal’s equaliser, but PSG’s senior players took over in the closing stages.
Key takeaways
- PSG remain unbeaten and lead the league phase with nine points from three fixtures.
- Barcelona are fifth on six points following their first defeat of the season.
- Doué delivered a goal and an assist, while Vitinha’s decisive volley came at 2-2.
- Hakimi created Ruiz’s 86th-minute finish after an energetic performance on the right.
- Luis Enrique kept PSG aggressive despite losing Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia and Marquinhos to injuries.
PSG’s key performers
Vitinha controlled possession under pressure and delivered the game’s pivotal goal. Doué repeatedly unsettled Barcelona’s defence, scoring first and setting up Hernandez from a corner. Neves provided midfield disruption as well as the assist for Doué, while Ruiz’s late arrival in the box finished the contest.
Hakimi’s overlapping runs stretched Barcelona and produced the fourth goal. Hernandez was strong defensively before scoring the crucial header, and Willian Pacho supplied physicality and important clearances. Goalkeeper Matvei Safonov made three saves, though Barcelona beat him twice with clinical finishing.
What happens next: PSG will look to protect their perfect league-phase record, while Barcelona must respond quickly after surrendering their winning streak and dropping out of the leading positions.
