PSG Beat Barcelona 4-2 in Champions League Thriller as Late Goals Seal Third Straight Win
Holders Paris Saint-Germain made it three wins from three in this season’s Champions League, beating Barcelona 4-2 at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday night thanks to late goals from Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz.
The PSG Barcelona Champions League clash lived up to its billing. Desire Doue gave the hosts a 38th-minute lead before Barcelona twice fought back to level, but Vitinha’s 81st-minute strike and Ruiz’s tap-in settled a breathless contest in Paris.
How the PSG Barcelona Champions League late show unfolded
PSG took a deserved lead in the 38th minute when Desire Doue collected the ball outside the area and thumped a shot into the bottom corner. The hosts had earlier gone close through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who hit the post, while Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia denied Ferran Torres in a fast-paced opening.
Garcia produced another excellent save shortly after the break from Achraf Hakimi, before Xavi Espart burst through to level for Barcelona against the run of play. Moments later, Kvaratskhelia and Marquinhos pulled up within seconds of each other and had to leave the field; Dembele had already hobbled off earlier.
The home side kept pressing, and Lucas Hernandez restored their advantage 18 minutes from time with a brilliant header. Lamine Yamal powered past Warren Zaire-Emery to equalise again seven minutes later.
But Vitinha hammered home from outside the box in the 81st minute, and Ruiz’s tap-in gave Luis Enrique’s team a second straight 4-2 Champions League win, after they beat Manchester City by the same scoreline last week. PSG had beaten City 4-2 at the Etihad in the previous round of fixtures.
“We don’t feel superior to any team but we trust in ourselves, in everyone who starts and who comes off the bench,” PSG midfielder Ruiz told Movistar. “There’s still a long way to go.”
Barcelona were ultimately well beaten by the two-time defending champions and slipped to their first defeat of the season. “We tried to play how we want to play, we pressed them very high. There were a lot of fantastic things on show today,” said Barcelona coach Flick, whose team had won their previous 11 games in all competitions this term.
What three wins from three means
PSG kept their place at the top of the league-phase table. In the Champions League’s league-phase format, the top eight teams qualify automatically for the last 16, so a perfect start puts the holders firmly on course for direct qualification. The concern for Luis Enrique will be the injuries to Dembele, Marquinhos and Kvaratskhelia.
Liverpool fight back, Foden hits treble
Liverpool also kept their 100 per cent record, coming from two goals down to beat Villarreal 4-3 at Anfield. Georges Mikautadze and Sergi Cardona put the visitors 2-0 up before Alexis Mac Allister scored twice and substitute Florian Wirtz added a fourth.
At the Etihad, Phil Foden scored a hat-trick as Manchester City thrashed AEK Athens 5-1. Elliot Anderson opened the scoring with his first City goal, and Foden struck three times after Rayan Cherki had made it 3-1. Erling Haaland was rested with a knock. “Slowly, but surely. Still got a long way to go, but I am going in the right direction,” Foden told TNT Sports.
Elsewhere, Roma beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 for their first Champions League win since 2019, Napoli edged Bodo/Glimt 4-3 with a Scott McTominay brace, Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 at Stuttgart with 10 men, and Borussia Dortmund won 2-1 at Sabah to end four straight away defeats in the competition.
It was a busy European night, with Bayern preparing for Arsenal under stand-in charge and Aston Villa hosting Viking. Closer to home, Pakistan’s cricketers sealed a tri-series win over England, while Kulusevski marked an emotional Tottenham return.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score in PSG vs Barcelona?
Paris Saint-Germain beat Barcelona 4-2 in the Champions League league phase. Doue, Hernandez, Vitinha and Ruiz scored for PSG; Espart and Yamal scored for Barcelona.
How many wins do PSG have in the Champions League this season?
Three from three. PSG beat Barcelona 4-2 after beating Manchester City by the same scoreline last week, and sit top of the league-phase table.
Who was injured for PSG against Barcelona?
Ousmane Dembele hobbled off, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Marquinhos both pulled up within seconds of each other and had to leave the field.
What other results happened on Champions League Tuesday?
Liverpool beat Villarreal 4-3 after trailing 2-0, Manchester City thrashed AEK Athens 5-1 with a Foden hat-trick, Roma beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0, Napoli edged Bodo/Glimt 4-3, Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 with Stuttgart, and Dortmund won 2-1 at Sabah.
