By Daily Review Online
Barcelona suffered their first defeat of the season on Tuesday night after losing 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain in an entertaining UEFA Champions League encounter at the Parc des Princes.
Despite goals from young defender Xavi Espart and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, the Catalans were unable to contain the French champions, who produced a strong second-half performance to end Barcelona’s unbeaten start to the campaign.
PSG began brightly and nearly took the lead in the opening minutes when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia unleashed a powerful effort that beat Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia but struck the post.
Barcelona gradually settled into the contest, with Pedri, Anthony Gordon and Dani Olmo creating opportunities. However, both teams suffered injury setbacks in the first half, as PSG lost Ousmane Dembele while Barcelona were forced to replace Olmo.
Ferran Torres and Fermin Lopez came on as substitutes and both had opportunities to put Barcelona ahead, but PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov kept them at bay.
The hosts eventually broke the deadlock in the 38th minute through Désiré Doué, who capitalised on an intercepted pass from Yamal before firing a low shot past Garcia.
Barcelona returned from the interval with renewed determination but were nearly punished again when Achraf Hakimi broke through on goal. Garcia, however, produced another important save to keep his side in the contest.
The visitors equalised through an unexpected source when Espart exchanged passes with Lopez, surged into the penalty area and poked the ball past Safonov for his first Champions League goal.
Barcelona’s celebrations were short-lived as PSG continued to threaten, while injuries to Marquinhos and Kvaratskhelia disrupted the home side’s plans.
Hansi Flick responded with a triple substitution, introducing Gavi, Rodri and Karim Adeyemi in an attempt to change the course of the match.
Torres missed a golden opportunity to give Barcelona the lead in the 70th minute, striking the post from close range after being presented with a clear chance.
PSG made the most of the reprieve moments later when Lucas Hernandez rose above Anthony Gordon to head home from a corner, restoring the hosts’ advantage at 2-1.
Barcelona responded once again, with Yamal producing a moment of individual brilliance in the 79th minute. The teenager beat substitute Warren Zaire-Emery down the right before delicately flicking the ball past Safonov with the outside of his boot to make it 2-2.
However, PSG quickly regained the lead through Vitinha, who controlled a clearance outside the penalty area before unleashing a superb strike beyond Garcia.
Fabian Ruiz sealed the victory in the closing minutes, finishing from close range after Hakimi delivered a dangerous cross from the right flank.
The 4-2 defeat brought Barcelona’s perfect start to the season to an end, despite encouraging performances from Espart and Yamal.
For PSG, the victory demonstrated their attacking quality and ability to respond under pressure, while Barcelona will be left to reflect on missed chances and defensive lapses that proved costly in Paris.