Barcelona suffered their first defeat of the season on Tuesday at the Parc des Princes after going down 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain in an action-packed and entertaining Champions League encounter in the French capital.
PSG made a great start and could have scored in the opening minutes after some sloppy play from Barca. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia hit a rasping shot that beat a diving Joan Garcia but smashed against the post.
Barcelona slowly grew into the game with Anthony Gordon and Pedri enjoying sights
of goal, while Dani Olmo hit a powerful shot just wide.
Both sides then had to contend with losing key players in the first half. Ousmane Dembele was the first to depart for PSG after pulling up and clutching the back of his leg before Olmo departed midway through the first half.
Ferran Torres took over from Dembele and had chances to score soon after arriving but was twice denied by Garcia in the Barcelona goal.
Hansi Flick threw on Fermin Lopez for Olmo and saw his substitute also go close. The Spain star was sent through on goal and tried to dink the ball past Matvey Safonov but was denied by the goalkeeper.
The deadlock was finally broken by Désiré Doué in the 38th minute. A pass out by Lamine Yamal was intercepted by PSG and headed on to Doue to fire a low shot past Garcia from just outside the penalty area.
Barcelona started the second half confidently but gave up a chance in the 50th minute. This time is was Achraf Hakimi sent through on goal but again Garcia did well to block and deny PSG.
Yet Flick’s side hit back through an unlikely goalscorer. Young Xavi Espart swapped passes with Fermin Lopez, continued his run into the penalty area and then poked the ball past Safonov at his near post for his first Champions League goal.
The goal was swiftly followed by more problems for PSG as Marquinhos and Kvaratskhelia went off injured, while Flick opted to make a triple change and sent on Gavi, Rodri and Karim Adeyemi.
Gavi had a shot blocked within seconds of his arrival but PSG should have gone ahead on 70 minutes when Ferran was given another golden chance but could only sweep the ball onto the post from close range.
However, PSG were not to be denied and scored moments later from a corner. Lucas Hernandez beat Anthony Gordon in the air and headed past Garcia for 2-1.
The drama continued as Barca responded well and made it 2-2 in the 79th minute through Lamine Yamal. The teenager finally lit up the Parc des Princes by beating substitute Warren Zaire-Emery down the right and flicking the ball high past Safonov with the outside of his boot.
Sadly for Barca, PSG hit back almost immediately to restore their lead. Vitinha chested a clearance down from outside the penalty area and then unleashed an excellent shot that flew past Garcia into the back of the net.
The game looked up for Barca and Fabrian Ruiz went on to finish things off in the closing minutes. Hakimi caused problems down the PSG right and was allowed to send in a cross which made it all the way to the far post for Ruiz to tap home and end Barca’s perfect start to the season.
