Stoppage-time shock in Paris
In a dramatic Champions League night at the Parc des Princes, Paris Saint-Germain edged Barcelona 2-1 thanks to a stoppage-time strike from Gonçalo Ramos. The visitors had drawn level through a youthful breakthrough, but PSG’s persistence paid off in the 91st minute as Ramos finished from close range after a precise cross from Achraf Hakimi. The result hands PSG a morale-boosting win and leaves Barcelona facing a tough test to maintain their early-season momentum.
Mayulu’s equaliser and Mendes’-electric raid
Barcelona kicked off with intent and opened the scoring through Ferrán Torres after a quick chain starting with Lamine Yamal, moving through Pedri and culminating in the finish. The Catalans looked to control possession and tempo, but PSG, shorthanded by injuries, began to wrestle momentum away from their opponents as the game progressed.
Shortly after the break, a moment from Senny Mayulu—on loan from PSG’s rising cohort—tied the scores. The 19-year-old struck calmly from around 14-15 metres, finishing a well-worked move following a marauding run by Nuno Mendes down the left flank. Mendes’ burst was a standout feature of the match, his speed and dribbling ability repeatedly threatening Barcelona’s already high defensive line.
Disputed moment and tactical tension
Perhaps the defining talking point came when Mendes, already booked, sent Lamine Yamal tumbling just outside the box. Referee Michel Oliver elected not to show a second yellow, prompting criticism from TV 2 analysts and fans alike. The decision kept Mendes on the pitch and allowed PSG to shift gears, with manager Luis Enrique making a tactical adjustment by moving Mendes into a more advanced role as the game wore on.
PSG’s high-wire approach and Barcelona’s response
PSG arrived in Paris with a much-changed lineup, missing several regulars assumed key to their domestic and European campaigns—Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué, Joao Neves, and captain Marquinhos were unavailable. Yet the host side pressed with intelligence and energy, pinning Barcelona back as they sought the winner late in the game. TV 2 commentator Morten Langli underscored the risk inherent in Barcelona’s high defensive line, arguing it exposed vulnerabilities that PSG exploited in the final stages.
Barcelona’s captain Frenkie de Jong spoke after the match about the need for improvement: “We have to do better. We know that,” he told Movistar, reflecting the shared urgency within the squad as they regroup ahead of future fixtures. The visitors initially took the lead through a sleek sequence that emphasized their movement and link-up play, but PSG’s response demonstrated resilience and depth, qualities that will worry rivals when injuries begin to ease.
The late winner and what it means for the groups
The winning moment arrived when Ramos converted from close range following Hakimi’s perfectly weighted cross, a finish that capped a night of intense football and near-misses on both sides. Earlier, Kang In Lee had struck the woodwork for PSG, signaling the French side’s dangerous intent even as they rotated personnel to cope with a congested schedule.
Barcelona still lead La Liga with 19 points from seven games, one point ahead of Real Madrid, while PSG sit level with Lyon at the top of Ligue 1 with 15 points. The result complicates Barcelona’s group aspirations and provides PSG a significant lift as they aim to sustain momentum domestically and in Europe. Both clubs will now reassess ahead of their next fixtures, with injuries, form, and tactical adjustments likely to dominate discussion in the days to come.
What’s next
As the Champions League group stage carries on, Barcelona will need to refocus quickly to protect their lead in La Liga and prepare for upcoming continental fixtures. PSG, meanwhile, will try to translate late-game grit into consistent performances across fixtures that lie ahead, seeking to convert close games into points in their pursuit of silverware this season.
