Reigning Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory over Barcelona at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to a 90th-minute winner from Gonçalo Ramos.
Barcelona had taken the lead through Ferran Torres, but a spirited PSG performance — despite missing several key players — saw Senny Mayulu equalise before the break, setting the stage for Ramos to strike late and seal a thrilling win in this heavyweight group-stage encounter.
The result continues the growing rivalry between the two clubs, steeped in dramatic history, including Barça’s iconic 6-1 comeback in 2017 and PSG’s high-profile signings of Neymar and Lionel Messi in the years that followed.
Hansi Flick made bold selection calls, opting to start Ferran Torres over veteran Robert Lewandowski, and benching Ronald Araújo in favour of Eric Garcia, following the Uruguayan’s red card in their last meeting with PSG.
The decision paid off early as Barça dominated the opening stages, led by an inspired Lamine Yamal, who was eager to make a statement after finishing runner-up to Ousmane Dembélé in recent Ballon d’Or voting.
The teenage star dazzled early, gliding past defenders and reigniting his personal duel with Nuno Mendes, who had previously silenced him during the summer’s Nations League.
Yamal carved out the first real chance with a stunning outside-foot pass that set Torres free. Although the Spaniard rounded goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, Illia Zabarnyi made a superb recovery block to deny the opener.
The breakthrough came in the 19th minute, after a sharp passing sequence involving Yamal, Pedri, and a slick first-time assist from Marcus Rashford, who has now created goals in four consecutive games since joining Barcelona on loan from Manchester United. Torres calmly slotted home to put Barça ahead.
Despite a depleted squad — missing Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Desire Doue — Luis Enrique’s PSG gradually gained control. Achraf Hakimi forced a smart save from Wojciech Szczęsny with a curling free-kick, before Nuno Mendes sparked the equaliser with a blistering run.
The left-back tore through Barcelona’s midfield and fed Mayulu, who capitalized on Pau Cubarsí’s misjudged lunge to fire a low drive past Szczęsny in the 38th minute, leveling the score.
Barça’s high defensive line looked increasingly vulnerable, with Bradley Barcola going close twice around the interval and Hakimi continuing to threaten down the right.
Mendes, who was fortunate not to receive a second yellow for bringing down Yamal near the box, remained a constant outlet on the counter.
The second half saw chances for both sides: Dani Olmo had a shot cleared off the line by Hakimi, while Kang-in Lee struck the post with a curling effort as time ticked down.
Just when it seemed the points would be shared, Hakimi broke behind Barcelona’s high line and squared the ball for Gonçalo Ramos, who stayed just onside and slotted home the winner in the 90th minute.
It was a clinical finish to a high-octane match between two of Europe’s most storied sides — and a valuable three points for PSG, who remain on track in their bid to defend the title.
AFP
