Paris Saint-Germain inflicted a 2-1 defeat on Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, becoming the first club to beat the Catalans in three successive European away matches.
The game began at a furious tempo. Lamine Yamal slalomed past a cluster of defenders inside the opening minutes, while PSG were a constant threat on the break. Illia Zabarnyi went close from a corner before Yamal released Ferran Torres with a precise through pass, the forward denied only by a recovery clearance from Zabarnyi. Moments later Barcelona struck, Torres sliding in the opener after a sharp assist from Marcus Rashford.
Barcelona’s control grew approaching the half hour, yet the visitors continued to bite on transition. Bradley Barcola missed a gilt-edged chance, and Wojciech Szczesny had to stretch to push away an Achraf Hakimi free kick. Nuno Mendes then surged forward to win a foul and a booking for Frenkie de Jong, and another driving run from the left back created the equaliser for Senny Mayulu. Barcola passed up another clear chance before the interval with the hosts relieved to hear Michael Oliver’s whistle.
Hansi Flick’s side restarted with caution, but loose passing ceded rhythm to PSG who began to circulate the ball with ease. Dani Olmo entered the book for halting another rapid counter, while Barcelona offered little beyond willing runs from Rashford. Hakimi produced a goal-line block to deny Olmo, and a series of efforts from distance briefly swung momentum back to the hosts. A triple substitution injected energy but not control.
At the other end, timely interventions from Pau Cubarsi and Torres kept PSG at bay, only for Lee Kang-in to rattle the base of the post as the visitors pressed for a winner. The pressure finally told late on when Goncalo Ramos exploited Barcelona’s high line and finished decisively.
PSG have now lost only once in their last seven Champions League matches, with six wins in that sequence, while Barcelona suffer a rare setback after a run of just one defeat in their previous twelve home games in the group or league phase.
