Paris Saint-Germain ended Barcelona’s perfect start to the season with a 4-2 victory at the Parc des Princes, recovering from two equalisers before scoring twice in the closing stages.
Barcelona had won all 11 of their matches in all competitions before Tuesday’s meeting with the reigning Champions League holders, but goals from Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz secured a statement victory for Luis Enrique’s side.
Desire Doue opened the scoring in the 38th minute after intercepting a pass and driving into the penalty area before finding the bottom-left corner. The French forward had also impressed in PSG’s 4-2 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium the previous week.
PSG’s high press caused early problems for Barcelona. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia struck the post after Pedri was dispossessed just 79 seconds into the match, while Doue and Ousmane Dembele also tested Joan Garcia.
Barcelona created chances of their own, with Raphinha shooting straight at Matvey Safonov after being found by Anthony Gordon. Garcia later denied Ferran Torres twice before half-time, while Safonov kept out Fermin Lopez in a one-on-one situation.
Barcelona respond twice
Barcelona levelled 10 minutes after the restart through 19-year-old full-back Xavi Espart, who burst into the area and beat Safonov with a powerful near-post finish.
Torres then hit the post following a quick counter-attack, but PSG regained the lead from a corner when Lucas Hernandez rose above Gordon to head past Garcia.
Barcelona refused to fade and equalised again through Lamine Yamal. The teenager turned Warren Zaire-Emery before accelerating into the area and squeezing his shot between Safonov and the near post.
PSG responded less than two minutes later. Vitinha controlled a clearance on his chest before striking a superb volley into the bottom corner, leaving Garcia with no chance.
Fabian Ruiz completed the scoring five minutes later, converting Achraf Hakimi’s low cross at the back post.
PSG registered 22 shots, with Garcia making 10 saves, as Barcelona’s defensive weaknesses were exposed. They were without Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen, while Vitinha was left unmarked for the decisive third goal and Doue and Hernandez were also given opportunities to exploit space.
The defeat ended Barcelona’s 11-match winning run and was their first of the season. Before the game, Hansi Flick had described the trip to Paris as a “huge opportunity” to show how much Barcelona had closed the gap on Europe’s leading clubs since his appointment in 2024.
His side twice recovered from behind and created attacking opportunities, but PSG’s late response underlined their quality and composure. Luis Enrique’s team are pursuing a third consecutive Champions League title and now have nine points, while Barcelona remain on six.
Desire Doue was named Player of the Match, with an average rating of 8.02 after his influential display.
PSG travel to Villarreal on Tuesday, November 3, with kick-off at 20:00 GMT. Barcelona host Aston Villa at Camp Nou at the same time, before facing Real Madrid in El Clasico on Sunday.