Six days after their 4-2 win over Manchester City, PSG secured another prestigious victory. Yet the encounter with Barcelona unfolded very differently from the match in England. The hosts dominated the first half before Barcelona seized the initiative after the break, only for PSG to emerge victorious from a frantic finale. There was little doubt that the Parisians deserved their win, however. Barcelona managed almost as many attempts but registered just five shots on target. PSG tested the goalkeeper 15 times and finished comfortably ahead on expected goals, 3.73 to 2.19.
Doué rewards PSG’s relentless early pressure
The hosts put Barcelona under pressure from the outset with aggressive pressing. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia struck the post following an early turnover, and PSG continued to create opportunities. Time and again, however, they were denied by Joan García.
The Barcelona goalkeeper produced ten saves over the course of the match, keeping his side in contention. PSG registered ten shots on target in the first half alone, more than any other opponent had managed against Barcelona before the interval in a Champions League game since records began in 2003/04.
Barcelona’s risky attempts to play out from the back were punished in the 38th minute. Lamine Yamal attempted an ambitious chipped pass, but João Neves intercepted it. Désiré Doué seized the opportunity, evaded several defenders and fired PSG into the lead.
Fermín López came close to equalising shortly before half-time, but goalkeeper Matvey Safonov and Willian Pacho combined to keep Barcelona out.
Barcelona fight back twice
Barcelona improved after the interval. In the 55th minute, Fermín López released the advancing Xavi Espart, who drove the ball inside the near post to make it 1-1. It was the 19-year-old right-back’s first Champions League goal.
Hansi Flick had started Marc Bernal instead of Rodri, partly to manage his players’ workload ahead of El Clásico against Real Madrid. When Rodri was eventually introduced, Barcelona gained greater control in midfield.
PSG, meanwhile, were forced to replace three key players through injury. Ousmane Dembélé departed after just 20 minutes, while Kvaratskhelia and captain Marquinhos followed in the 59th minute. Barcelona also lost Dani Olmo to an early injury.
Lucas Hernández restored PSG’s advantage in the 72nd minute, heading home a corner delivered by Doué. The left-back had also impressed defensively, largely keeping Yamal quiet.
But shortly after Hernández was substituted, Yamal capitalised on a mistake by his replacement, Warren Zaïre-Emery. The 19-year-old skipped past his opponent and scored from a remarkably tight angle to make it 2-2 in the 79th minute. It was already his 13th Champions League goal.
Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz settle the contest
Barcelona’s hopes of taking a point survived for barely two minutes. After Achraf Hakimi’s delivery was only partially cleared, Vitinha controlled the ball on the edge of the penalty area and struck a superb volley to put PSG 3-2 ahead.
Fabián Ruiz made the result safe in the 86th minute. Hakimi advanced down the right and delivered the ball into the middle, where the unmarked Spaniard finished from close range to make it 4-2. Four goals had been scored in the space of just 14 minutes.
The difference lay in the two sides’ effectiveness in the final third. Barcelona enjoyed slightly more possession, with 53 per cent, and both teams recorded 32 touches inside the opposition penalty area. Yet while PSG turned their attacking play into 15 shots on target, Barcelona managed only five.
Luis Enrique praises PSG’s response as Flick reflects on defeat
Luis Enrique was particularly pleased with his team’s first-half performance. The former Barcelona coach nevertheless acknowledged that PSG had endured a difficult spell after the interval. What mattered, he explained, was their ability to defend with discipline under pressure before creating opportunities of their own again. The substitutes had played an important part in that response.
Désiré Doué highlighted his team’s mentality. PSG knew Barcelona were capable of scoring at any moment, making it essential to maintain their concentration regardless of the scoreline.
Flick acknowledged that PSG had been the better side and criticised his team’s careless losses of possession. He also pointed to a lack of energy in the closing stages. Nevertheless, the German praised the progress of his younger players, singling out Xavi Espart.
PSG have now gone 13 Champions League matches without defeat, equalling the club record. Following impressive wins over Manchester City and Barcelona, Luis Enrique’s side look well equipped to mount another serious challenge for the European title.
