Paris Saint-Germain handed Barcelona their first defeat of the season with a 4-2 Champions League win at the Parc des Princes, in a classic that produced 40 attempts on goal.
The reigning European champions outgunned the visitors in a contender for match of the season. The two sides traded goals, with Desire Doue’s strike and Lucas Hernandez’s header each cancelled out by youngster Xavi Espart and the irrepressible Lamine Yamal.
Seconds after Barca’s number 10 levelled for a second time, Vitinha restored PSG’s lead as Barcelona ran out of gas. Fabian Ruiz then put the icing on the cake five minutes later with a tap-in. Hansi Flick’s side tasted defeat for the first time in 12 games this season.
Injuries cloud an exhilarating night
There were some sour notes on an otherwise exhilarating evening. Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele came off with a suspected hamstring injury inside the opening 20 minutes. Team-mate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was also helped off in the second half after picking up a knock.
Dani Olmo was also withdrawn in the first half for Barcelona, who are already struggling with an injury crisis. It adds another blow for the LaLiga leaders, who visit Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the season on Sunday.
Key moments from the Parc des Princes
2 minutes: Kvaratskhelia smashes the woodwork in less than 120 seconds.
19 minutes: Dembele comes off with a suspected hamstring issue.
38 minutes, goal: Doue finally puts PSG ahead after a Lamine Yamal mistake.
55 minutes, goal: PSG are punished as Espart equalises.
59 minutes: Kvaratskhelia is helped off the pitch on the hour.
71 minutes: Torres misses again as he strikes the post from close range.
72 minutes, goal: A set-piece does the job as Hernandez’s header restores PSG’s lead.
79 minutes, goal: Lamine Yamal smashes Barca level from a tight angle.
81 minutes, goal: Vitinha hits back immediately from the edge of the box.
86 minutes, goal: Ruiz seals the deal as Barca run out of steam.
Gordon: We need to try and become PSG
Barcelona forward Anthony Gordon spoke to TNT Sports after the match.
“I think it was quite predictable that it was going to be high-scoring and a good spectacle for people to watch. I was hoping we would come out on the right side of that, but unfortunately we didn’t.
“They deserved it. They were the better team and had the better moments with real quality. Athletically, they were able to sustain the pressure and intensity for longer than we were. They’ve been the team to beat for two years and tonight they gave a great example as to why.
“I think we can take great positives because we played well. It was a competitive spectacle. We’ve still got work to do and that’s a good position to be in. They’ve been the team to beat for two years. We need to do enough work, analyse the game and try and become that.”
Football at its most entertaining
I covered PSG’s 5-4 win over Bayern Munich last season. It was a breathless game and one of the greatest I had ever witnessed.
While this game might not quite have reached that level, it was in a very similar bracket. Two of the best teams in the world, with full belief in themselves and only one intention: outscore the other.
No one could have blamed Barcelona if they had come to the French capital, shut up shop and tried to stop the potent PSG attack.
Their approach was the complete opposite. They had faith that their attack was just as lethal. In the end, they fell short, but they can hold their heads high.
For the neutral, these are the games you dream of watching. They make you feel things only free-flowing football can.
If you want a demonstration of what two heavyweight giants playing each other should look like, this is it. Blow for blow, haymaker for haymaker.