BARCELONA (BN24) — Paris Saint-Germain snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory over Barcelona at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday, with Goncalo Ramos scoring a 90th-minute winner to give the reigning UEFA Champions League holders a vital group-stage triumph.
Barcelona had taken the lead through Ferran Torres midway through the first half after a flowing move sparked by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. The winger’s combination with Pedri and a sharp first-time pass from Marcus Rashford allowed Torres to finish clinically past Lucas Chevalier.
PSG, missing a host of stars including Ousmane Dembélé, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, pulled level before the break when full-back Nuno Mendes surged down the flank and found 19-year-old Senny Mayulu, who finished confidently from inside the box to make it 1-1 in the 38th minute.
In a match filled with intensity and high-quality football from both sides, it was Luis Enrique’s depleted PSG squad who capitalized late. Achraf Hakimi burst behind Barcelona’s high line and squared for Ramos, who timed his run perfectly to stay onside and finish low past Wojciech Szczesny.
Despite the loss, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick’s selection choices drew attention. Torres started over veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, while Ronald Araújo remained on the bench following his red card in last season’s semifinal meeting between these two clubs. Eric Garcia filled in at center back, while Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, continued his strong run of form by registering an assist in his fourth consecutive game.
Luis Enrique, returning to face his former club where he won the treble in 2015, saw his side grow into the match after a fast Barcelona start. The Parisians were under pressure for spells and needed several key saves from Chevalier and interventions from Illia Zabarnyi and Hakimi to stay level before Ramos’ late strike.
The match was another chapter in the long-running rivalry between the two European giants, marked by Barcelona’s famous 6-1 comeback in 2017 and PSG’s subsequent revenge in later years, including high-profile transfers of Neymar and Lionel Messi.
Barça’s Lamine Yamal, who recently finished runner-up to Dembélé in the Ballon d’Or voting, was electric throughout. He tormented Mendes early on and created several key chances, including a dazzling outside-foot pass that nearly led to a second goal. However, Mendes responded with a storming run of his own to help set up the equalizer and later escaped a second yellow for a risky challenge on Yamal.
Barcelona had opportunities to retake the lead. Dani Olmo’s shot was cleared off the line by Hakimi, and substitute Kang-in Lee struck the post for PSG before the decisive moment arrived.
Ramos’ late winner ensures PSG maintain their momentum as they seek to defend their Champions League title, while Barcelona are left to rue missed chances and defensive lapses.
“We’re disappointed, of course,” Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong said. “If you concede at the last minute and lose at home, it’s tough. But this is the Champions League. We have time to improve, and we will.”
The result leaves the group finely poised, with both clubs eyeing knockout qualification and perhaps another showdown in the later stages of the tournament.
