Paris Saint-Germain stunned Barcelona with a dramatic 90th-minute strike from Gonçalo Ramos to seal a 2-1 away victory in Wednesday’s Champions League group stage clash.
Ferran Torres had given the hosts the lead at the Olympic Stadium with a composed finish, but 19-year-old Senny Mayulu pulled PSG level before half-time. In a fiercely contested encounter between two tournament favourites, Ramos’ late goal punished Barcelona’s high defensive line and secured the champions three valuable points.
Barça manager Hansi Flick opted for Torres ahead of Robert Lewandowski, while Ronald Araújo was benched following his red card against PSG last season. Luis Enrique, returning to Catalonia as PSG coach, was without several key players but still guided his depleted side past last year’s semi-finalists.
The fixture carried extra weight given the frosty relationship between the clubs in recent years, fuelled by Barcelona’s famous 2017 comeback against PSG, as well as the French side’s controversial swoops for Neymar and Lionel Messi. This time, Enrique’s men travelled without Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, Desire Doué, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, though Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz returned to start in midfield.
From the outset, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal was determined to showcase his talent. The winger’s early flair and dazzling runs troubled Nuno Mendes, though the Portuguese defender stood firm, setting up an absorbing duel on the flank. Yamal eventually crafted the opener with a sublime outside-foot pass to Torres, who combined with Pedri before finishing from Marcus Rashford’s clever assist. Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, has now created goals in four consecutive appearances.
PSG grew into the match after half an hour, forcing Wojciech Szczęsny into action with a sharp free-kick from Achraf Hakimi. Moments later, Mendes burst forward and set up Mayulu, who beat Szczęsny with a composed strike in the 38th minute.
The second half swung back and forth. Dani Olmo had a goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Hakimi, while PSG’s Kang-in Lee rattled the post. Both sides pressed for a winner, but it was PSG who prevailed at the death. Hakimi broke clear on the right and squared for Ramos, who stayed just onside to slot home the decisive goal.
The victory not only showcased PSG’s resilience amid injuries but also underlined their title defence credentials, while Barcelona were left to rue missed chances in a match that could have gone either way.
