PSG Triumphs Over Barcelona in Thrilling UEFA Champions League Match

BARCELONA, Spain — In a significant opening match of the UEFA Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain secured a notable 2-1 victory against Barcelona on Wednesday. This win was particularly impressive given that PSG was missing their star trio of Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia due to injuries.

With the situation ripe for Lamine Yamal—who recently ranked second to Dembélé for the Ballon d’Or—to showcase his skills at the Olympic Stadium, he certainly made an impression, particularly in his duel with left back Nuno Mendes. Nonetheless, the unifying spirit of Luis Enrique’s PSG outshone individual efforts, mirroring their successful run last season.

Ferran Torres opened the scoring for Barcelona with a goal in a lively first half, yet Senny Mayulu equalized for PSG before the break. The French side dominated the second half, leaving Barça’s manager, Hansi Flick, to rethink his pairing of center backs Eric García and Pau Cubarsí, as they struggled against PSG’s improvised attack, which included Mayulu, Bradley Barcola, and 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye.

The momentum shifted dramatically in PSG’s favor as Gonçalo Ramos netted a last-minute winner, triggering a swift exit from the stadium for home fans, leaving only the jubilant 3,000 traveling PSG supporters behind. This victory boosts confidence for the reigning European champions, especially with key players like Dembélé, Doué, and Kvaratskhelia still sidelined, in addition to center back Marquinhos.

Barcelona also faced injury setbacks, missing goalkeeper Joan García, Raphinha, Gavi, and Fermín López. Midfielder Pedri had previously stated that Barça believes they are the best team in Europe. A win would have strengthened that claim, but instead, it was a night for PSG to savor.

“The game was excellent,” noted Luis Enrique. “Two teams focused on playing and attacking made for a fantastic spectacle. They were stronger until their goal, but we responded well and dominated the second half,” he concluded. The match featured thrilling moments, including a dazzling run from Yamal within the first two minutes that set the tone for a captivating encounter.

While PSG struggled initially to secure set pieces, the rivalry mainly unfolded between Mendes and Yamal. PSG star Achraf Hakimi had previously claimed Mendes was the “best left back in the world.” Yet, the match’s unfolding did not allow for the full display of talent when they last faced each other.