Paris Saint-Germain produced yet another strong European display on Tuesday, overcoming Barcelona 4-2 at the Parc des Princes to reaffirm their position as Champions League hopefuls. The defending champions stretched their undefeated streak in the tournament to 13 games, putting an end to Barcelona’s flawless beginning to the 2026-27 season.
Desire Doue, Lucas Hernandez, Vitinha, and Fabian Ruiz all scored for Luis Enrique’s team, which stayed at the top of the league-phase table with nine points from three fixtures. Barcelona, even though they mounted two strong responses, could not handle PSG’s offensive firepower.
PSG controls the opening period and goes ahead against Barcelona
PSG began aggressively, applying heavy pressure and causing Barcelona to make mistakes early on. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia hit the post after Pedri gave away possession, while Doue and Ousmane Dembele both challenged goalkeeper Joan Garcia during an energetic opening phase.
Barcelona slowly settled into the game, with Raphinha testing Matvey Safonov following a promising attacking sequence. Nevertheless, PSG kept generating the more threatening chances, and Garcia produced several crucial stops to keep the away side competitive.
Dembele’s match ended prematurely due to an apparent hamstring problem, with Ferran Torres coming on for him before the interval. In spite of that blow, PSG finally made the breakthrough in the 38th minute when Doue took advantage of another turnover and drove a low, powerful strike into the bottom corner.
Barcelona had an opportunity to reply before the whistle, but Fermin Lopez could not make it count, leaving the away team behind at the interval.
Barcelona responds as Xavi Espart scores on his debut
Hansi Flick’s side came out with more determination after the break and levelled through 19-year-old Xavi Espart. Making his first Champions League appearance, the young player delivered an excellent near-post finish to pull Barcelona back into the contest.
The goal changed the flow of the game, with Barcelona taking control and looking likely to flip the match around. Torres nearly put the away side in front, but his close-range attempt hit the frame of the goal.
PSG made Barcelona pay for that wasted chance almost right away. Hernandez climbed to head in from the ensuing corner, reestablishing the home side’s lead and altering the direction of a game that had started to tilt in Barcelona’s favour.
Lamine Yamal’s equaliser does not prevent PSG from winning
Barcelona kept fighting and pulled level once more in the 78th minute via Lamine Yamal. The teenager delivered a remarkable solo effort, getting past Warren Zaire-Emery before forcing his finish beyond Safonov from a tight angle.
However, the away side’s hopes of finishing the comeback were short-lived. Vitinha answered with an excellent volley from outside the box, putting PSG ahead again and providing another pivotal moment in an increasingly end-to-end contest.
Fabian Ruiz sealed the result by finishing Achraf Hakimi’s low cross, wrapping up the scoring at 4-2. PSG’s capacity to hit back whenever Barcelona seemed poised to seize control proved vital, as the defending champions scored four times despite absorbing sustained pressure after the interval.
Champions League table highlights PSG’s quality
The win gives PSG nine points from their first three league-phase matches, while Barcelona has six. Luis Enrique’s team have now beaten Manchester City and Barcelona in back-to-back European fixtures, reinforcing their credentials as genuine contenders to defend the Champions League crown.
Barcelona’s offensive quality once again created moments of threat, but their defensive frailties continue to be a worry. They have now conceded in 18 straight Champions League games, a streak that keeps hindering their attempts to rival Europe’s elite clubs.
PSG will head to Villarreal on November 3 as they aim to preserve their impressive start. Barcelona, in the meantime, will welcome Aston Villa hoping to bounce back from their first loss of the season.