Paris Saint-Germain produced a strong second-half performance to beat Barcelona 4-2 in the UEFA Champions League at the Parc des Princes to claim another important three points.
The victory came after the La Liga side twice fought back to level the score, before late goals from Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz secured all three points for the French champions.
Desire Doue, Lucas Hernandez, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz scored for PSG, while Xavi Espart and Lamine Yamal found the net for Barca. The result also handed Hansi Flick and his side their first defeat of the season.
PSG started the match with attacking intent and created early chances. Ousmane Dembele tested Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia, while Doue also had an effort saved by the goalkeeper.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia threatened from the left, and the home side looked dangerous whenever they moved forward. Barcelona responded through Raphinha, whose effort was saved by Matvey Safonov.
Pedri also missed a chance after a promising attack, while Dani Olmo sent a shot wide following a quick counterattack. Barca suffered an early setback when Cancelo received a yellow card in the 17th minute for a foul on Doue.
Both teams then faced injury problems as Dembele was forced off and replaced by Ferran Torres in the 20th minute. The visitors also lost Dani Olmo, who made way for Fermin Lopez in the 27th minute.
Paris Saint-Germain finally broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. Joao Neves provided the assist with a headed pass, allowing Doue to fire a right-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom-left corner.
The goal gave PSG a 1-0 lead as the encounter pushed on between both teams for the night. Barcelona improved after the break and found their equaliser in the 55th minute.
Fermin Lopez played a through ball into the penalty area, and Xavi Espart finished with his right foot into the bottom-right corner. The goal made it 1-1 and gave Barcelona fresh hope.
PSG responded by creating more chances, with Joan GarcÃa making important saves to keep his team in the contest as they continued pushing on forward.
Ferran Torres came close to scoring against his former club, but his effort struck the post after a save from GarcÃa. Joao Neves and Achraf Hakimi also tested the visitors goalkeeper as the game progressed.
The away side made further changes as Rodri, Karim Adeyemi and Gavi entered the game. However, PSG regained the lead in the 72nd minute of the encounter with another powerful goal.
The host went ahead again when Lucas Hernandez rose above Anthony Gordon to meet a corner from Desire Doue. His powerful header found the top corner, making it 2-1 for his side.
The goal looked set to give PSG control, but Barcelona had another answer. In the 79th minute, Lamine Yamal produced a brilliant individual effort which leveled things.
He collected a lofted pass, got past Warren Zaïre-Emery and moved into the penalty area before firing into the roof of the net from a difficult angle. Barcelona were level at 2-2, setting up a tense final period.
PSG responded almost immediately in the 81st minute, when a cross from the right was headed away from danger, but the ball fell to Vitinha outside the penalty area.
He controlled it, allowed it to bounce and struck a low volley past Garcia to restore PSG’s lead at 3-2. Barca pushed for another equaliser, but PSG delivered the decisive blow in the 86th minute.
Achraf Hakimi sent the ball across the goal from the right, and Fabian Ruiz arrived unmarked at the far post to turn it into the net. The goal made it 4-2 and ended Barcelona’s hopes of recovering a third time.
The encounter came to a conclusion with Paris Saint-Germain getting the job done and prove why they are the defending Champions of the competition.
Both teams missed important opportunities which could have played a part in the outcome. Raphinha and Pedri failed to convert early chances, while Joan Garcia denied several PSG attacks.
Ferran Torres also hit the post, and the visitors could not build on the equalising goals from Espart and Yamal. PSG showed their attacking quality and ability to respond under pressure.
Barcelona fought hard but were unable to stop the home side from scoring twice in the closing stages which ended up confirming all three points after 90 minutes.
The result gives PSG an important Champions League victory, while Barcelona must improve defensively after conceding four goals in a match they twice brought level.
