Substitute Gonçalo Ramos scored a 90th-minute winner to complete a superb comeback for Paris Saint-Germain, securing a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in a gripping UEFA Champions League clash at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys . In a match that pitted the reigning European champions against the Spanish titans, PSG showcased their resilience by overcoming an early deficit and a lengthy injury list to maintain their perfect start to the competition .
Match Recap: A Tale of Two Halves
The match began at a ferocious pace, with Barcelona, energized by the return of 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, making a blistering start . Yamal was instrumental from the outset, embarking on a mesmerizing run past multiple defenders in the opening minutes and setting up an early chance that Ferran Torres failed to convert .
The home side's pressure paid off in the 19th minute. A misplaced pass from PSG's Vitinha was intercepted by Yamal, who quickly found Pedri . The ball was then moved wide to Marcus Rashford, who delivered a precise, sliding pass across the goalmouth for Ferran Torres to slot home . The goal extended Barcelona's remarkable club-record scoring run to 45 consecutive matches in all competitions .
Despite falling behind, the French champions grew into the game. They found an equalizer in the 38th minute through a moment of individual brilliance. Left-back Nuno Mendes embarked on a dazzling, driving run from deep within his own half, bypassing several Barcelona challenges before setting up Senny Mayulu . The 19-year-old forward, a scorer in last season's final, finished with clinical precision into the bottom corner .
The second half was largely controlled by PSG, who consistently exploited the spaces behind Barcelona's defense . Achraf Hakimi made a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Dani Olmo in the 62nd minute, while PSG's Lee Kang-in cannoned a shot against the woodwork in the 83rd minute . The pressure finally told with the clock ticking down to full-time. Hakimi, found in acres of space on the right due to Barcelona's high defensive line, squared a simple pass for the unmarked Gonçalo Ramos to fire a first-time finish into the net, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory for the visitors .
Key Tactical Battles and Performances
The match was defined by several key duels and strategic decisions that ultimately decided the outcome.
- Barcelona's High-Line Gamble: Hansi Flick's commitment to an ultra-high defensive line was a central talking point. While it helped compress the pitch and led to the opening goal by forcing a turnover high up the field, it proved to be their undoing . PSG's rapid ball-carriers, particularly Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi, repeatedly exploited the space in behind. Hakimi's late assist for the winner was a direct consequence of this tactical vulnerability, as he was left free to receive a long pass before setting up Ramos .
- The Full-Back Duel: Yamal vs. Mendes: The battle between Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and PSG's Nuno Mendes was a fascinating subplot. Yamal was electric in attack, creating several early chances and assisting the opener . However, Mendes not only managed to contain the threat for large periods but also became a decisive attacking force himself. His surging run and assist for the equalizer showcased why he is considered among the world's best in his position . His performance, despite being on a yellow card, was pivotal to PSG's success .
- PSG's Resilience Amid Injury Crisis: PSG's victory was made more impressive by the significant players they had missing. The team was without captain Marquinhos, their entire first-choice forward line of Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Désiré Doué, and lost midfielder João Neves to an injury during the warm-up . The ability of players like Mayulu, Ramos, and Mendes to step up highlighted the squad's depth and fighting spirit .
Post-Match Reactions
The managers and players reflected on a hard-fought contest that lived up to its billing as a clash between two of the competition's favorites.
- Luis Enrique, PSG Manager: "It was an excellent match," he stated. "We struggled in the first half until they scored the first goal. Then we regained our level, and in the second half we were better." He praised Barcelona, calling them "among the favourites to win the Champions League," but added confidently, "the real competition starts in the knockout stages and then we'll see how each team performs" .
- Hansi Flick, Barcelona Manager: The Barcelona coach focused on the late lapse that cost his team. "When you're defending one-vs-one, you have to play more intelligently at the end of the match, and that didn't happen," Flick analyzed. "They scored against us on the break. We need to be more organised and cover all the spaces" .
- Gonçalo Ramos, PSG Match-Winner: The Portuguese striker captured the reigning champions' mentality, saying, "We want to win everything again. We're not happy with just what we did last season. We want more" .
What's Next?
With this result, PSG sits comfortably with a perfect six points from their opening two matches, firmly positioned among the early frontrunners in the league phase . Barcelona, with one win and one loss, has three points and will look to rebound in their next European fixture .
Barcelona will next host Olympiacos on October 21, while PSG will travel to face Bayer Leverkusen on the same matchday . This victory will serve as a massive statement of intent from PSG, proving their capacity to win under adversity, while Barcelona will be left to ponder the tactical fine-tuning required to compete at the very highest level.
