Vitinha scored a decisive late goal as reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain defeated Barcelona 4-2 on Tuesday in a thrilling Champions League encounter between two of Europe’s leading clubs.
With the score tied at 2-2, the Portuguese midfielder controlled the ball on his chest before firing home from just outside the penalty area in the 81st minute at the Parc des Princes to put PSG back in front.
Fabian Ruiz added a fourth goal late on to seal PSG’s third consecutive victory in this season’s competition as they continue their quest for another Champions League title.
Barcelona had threatened to leave Paris with a point after Lamine Yamal scored their second equaliser of the night. However, Vitinha’s strike restored PSG’s advantage before Ruiz completed the scoring.
Desire Doue opened the scoring for the hosts, while Lucas Hernandez also found the net for PSG. Barcelona responded through teenage defender Xavi Espart and Yamal, but ultimately could not keep pace with the French side.
The defeat ended Barcelona’s run of 11 consecutive victories at the start of the season across all competitions, although it is unlikely to significantly damage their chances of progressing in Europe’s elite club competition.
Despite the loss, Barcelona continued their impressive scoring form, with Yamal’s goal taking their tally to 50 across all competitions this season.
PSG, meanwhile, have now won seven consecutive matches across Ligue 1 and the Champions League. However, their victory came at a cost, with Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia both suffering injuries during the match.
The extent of the injuries to the two attackers remained unclear, but Doue emerged as one of the standout performers, strengthening PSG’s prospects of reaching the knockout stages under coach Luis Enrique.
The encounter was the 14th Champions League meeting between the sides in the past 13 years. Barcelona will now turn their attention to Sunday’s La Liga clash against Real Madrid, with victory potentially giving them a nine-point lead over their fierce rivals.
Dembele injured as PSG take control
Barcelona arrived in Paris after winning their opening 11 matches of the season across all competitions. PSG, meanwhile, were buoyed by a 4-2 victory over Manchester City the previous week.
The hosts nearly took the lead inside the opening 90 seconds when Kvaratskhelia struck the post. However, PSG suffered an early setback when Dembele pulled up with a suspected hamstring injury and was forced off after 20 minutes.
Ferran Torres replaced him, facing his former club, before Barcelona also lost Dani Olmo to injury as the contest was interrupted by another setback.
PSG eventually broke the deadlock in the 38th minute following an error by Yamal, who surrendered possession in his own half. The ball fell to Doue, who displayed excellent footwork before drilling a low shot into the bottom corner from outside the penalty area.
The hosts deserved their advantage at half-time, but Barcelona responded shortly after the restart. Fermin Lopez released Espart, who drove into the box and fired past the goalkeeper to score his second senior goal.
Barcelona midfielder Rodri subsequently entered the game, but the contest became increasingly open as both sides pushed forward.
Torres struck the post before PSG regained the lead when Hernandez headed home from a corner.
Hernandez had been drafted into the side to help contain Yamal in the absence of regular left-back Nuno Mendes. The goal was only his third for PSG in more than 100 appearances and his first since February 2024.
Despite his impressive performance, Hernandez was substituted moments after scoring. His replacement, Warren Zaire-Emery, was involved in the defensive lapse that allowed Barcelona to equalise for a second time.
Zaire-Emery misjudged a high ball, allowing Yamal to break forward and stab home his 10th goal of the campaign to make it 2-2.
PSG, however, had the final say. Vitinha restored the hosts’ lead with his superb 81st-minute finish before Ruiz struck from close range to complete the 4-2 victory.
The result underlined PSG’s attacking strength and reinforced their status as serious contenders to retain the Champions League title.
AFP
