In a match that had everything from early promise to heartbreaking twists, Paris Saint-Germain pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over Barcelona on Wednesday night at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The game, part of the UEFA Champions League league phase, saw Barcelona take the lead through a sharp finish from Lamine Yamal just minutes in, only for PSG to claw back with goals from Ousmane Dembélé and a stoppage-time dagger from Gonçalo Ramos.
Barcelona, riding high after their opening win, started aggressively. Hansi Flick's side pressed high, and Yamal's goal in the 7th minute set the tone. But PSG, under Luis Enrique, didn't panic. They equalized midway through the first half when Dembélé, once a Barca favorite, slotted home after a quick counter. Indeed, the French champions looked more composed as the game wore on, exploiting Barcelona's defensive lapses.
Lineups told a story of familiar faces in opposition. Barcelona fielded a 4-3-3 with Ter Stegen in goal, Koundé at right-back, and midfield anchored by Pedri and Gavi. Up front, Lewandowski paired with Yamal and Raphinha. PSG countered with Donnarumma between the posts, a backline of Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, and Mendes, while Vitinha and Zaïre-Emery controlled the middle. Dembélé and Barcola flanked Mbappé-less attack—wait, no, Mbappé's gone, but the stars shone anyway.
For those who missed it, the clash aired on platforms like Paramount+ in the US, TNT Sports in the UK, and various broadcasters worldwide, kicking off at 3 p.m. ET. Barcelona's schedule now turns to league duties, but this loss stings in the Champions League context, where every point counts in the new format.
However, PSG's resilience here raises questions about their title defense. They sit pretty after two wins, while Barcelona must regroup quickly for upcoming fixtures against Bayern and others. Moreover, the late drama underscores how fine the margins are in Europe.
As both clubs reflect on this intense rivalry renewed, the road to the final grows ever more unpredictable.