Key Takeaways:
- Paris Saint-Germain claimed a 2:1 comeback victory against Barcelona at Lluís Companys in the main phase’s second round of the Champions League
- Ferran Torres gave Barcelona an early lead, but Senny Mayulu and Gonçalo Ramos secured all three points for PSG, with Ramos netting the winner in the 90th minute last night
- This was PSG’s third consecutive away triumph at Barcelona, giving Luis Enrique’s men a perfect six points from two matches
Match Overview and Historical Context
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain delivered a captivating encounter in the Champions League’s main phase second round, with the visitors overturning a first-half deficit to triumph 2:1 at the Lluís Companys Stadium. Ferran Torres put the hosts in front in the 19th minute, while Senny Mayulu restored parity in the 38th. The contest remained open and fiercely contested before Gonçalo Ramos notched the decisive goal for PSG on 90 minutes. Remarkably, this result marked PSG’s third successive away win over the Catalan side.
Luis Enrique’s charges now top the league standings on six points after comfortably dispatching Atalanta in their opener. Barcelona stay on three points following their earlier victory away at Newcastle.
The two sides have a storied history in Europe. Their most recent previous meeting came on 16 April 2024 at Lluís Companys where PSG inflicted a heavy 4:1 defeat in the Champions League quarter-finals. A week prior, Barcelona had prevailed 3:2 at Parc des Princes. The rivalry also includes the legendary 6:1 Barcelona comeback of March 8, 2017, overturning a 0:4 first-leg loss. Across the last five encounters, both clubs have two wins each, with one draw.
Feb. 2021: Barcelona 1-4 PSG
April 2024: Barcelona 1-4 PSG
Oct. 2025: Barcelona 1-2 PSGPSG are the first team to win three consecutive games away at Barcelona in the Champions League 😲 pic.twitter.com/raMv0QFy3I
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 1, 2025
Team News and Tactical Adjustments
Hansi Flick faced considerable selection issues for Barcelona, unavailable to call on Joan Garcia, Gavi, Raphinha, or Fermin Lopez. The German made five changes from the previous match against Real Sociedad, with Wojciech Szczęsny starting in goal. Eric Garcia and Pau Cubarsí formed the central defensive partnership, consigning Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen to the substitutes’ bench. Robert Lewandowski also began as a substitute in favour of Ferran Torres leading the line. Alejandro Balde, back from injury, was named among the subs, while Lamine Yamal returned to the starting eleven.
Luis Enrique’s squad selection was similarly hamstrung by injuries to key players, ruling out Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué, and Marquinhos. Surprises included 19-year-old Senny Mayulu starting at centre forward and 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye on the right wing, with both making their Champions League debuts. Bradley Barcola was deployed on the left flank.
First Half: High Intensity and Early Goals
The action began at a rapid pace, with Yamal threatening down the right as early as the second minute, teeing up Torres for a shot that was blocked. Minutes later, Yamal again surged down the wing, only for Nuno Mendes to intervene with a crucial challenge.
PSG responded with pressure in the 12th minute: Nuno Mendes delivered from a corner and Zabarnyi met it with a header, but directed the attempt wide. Shortly after, Yamal crafted another chance with a clever outside-foot pass to send Torres clear; although Torres skipped past Chevalier and shot, Zabarnyi was on hand to clear off the line.
Barcelona made their breakthrough in the 19th minute when Vitinha’s wayward pass was pounced on by Yamal, who found Pedri. The midfielder played in Rashford on the left, whose first-time low ball reached Torres. The forward steered his shot into the bottom corner, with Hakimi playing him onside to make it 1:0.
Barcola wasted a promising opening for PSG in the 25th minute after breaking into the penalty area but miscontrolling at the key moment.
The hosts nearly doubled their advantage shortly after, with Pedri evading two defenders to set up Olmo, whose shot was deflected for a corner. Eric Garcia called for a penalty following a challenge from Zabarnyi, but a VAR check yielded nothing.
Szczęsny kept out Hakimi in the 29th minute, before PSG levelled on 38 minutes via a flowing move. Nuno Mendes advanced 30 metres, supplying Mayulu on the edge of the area. The teenager controlled smartly and fired over Szczęsny to equalise. PSG finished the half strongest, with Barcola missing another opportunity and Rashford threatening on the left before the break.
Second Half: Intensity Remains and Late Drama
PSG started the second period in assertive mood, with Mbaye and Barcola both calling Szczęsny into action. Barcelona looked to hit on the break, and in the 61st minute, Yamal surged forward only to be clipped by Nuno Mendes near the area. Michael Oliver declined to issue a second yellow to Mendes, and Yamal’s subsequent free-kick was poor.
Barcelona then enjoyed a spell on top, and were denied a second goal by Hakimi’s vital intervention on the goal line after Olmo’s effort, following a failed clearance by Zabarnyi.
| Team | Goal Scorers | Key Events | Points After Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | Ferran Torres (19′) |
Rashford assist, Yamal persistently threatens Hakimi clears off the line Lewandowski, Casado, Balde on as triple substitution (72′) | 3 |
| Paris Saint-Germain | Senny Mayulu (38′) Gonçalo Ramos (90′) |
Mayulu, Mbaye Champions League debuts Ramos scores late winner Barcola, Hakimi create chances | 6 |
In the 72nd minute, Barcelona introduced Lewandowski, Casado, and Balde, while PSG swapped Fabián Ruiz for Gonçalo Ramos and later replaced Mbaye with Lucas Hernandez. Notably, Torres made an excellent defensive tackle to foil Hakimi before Yamal fired wide.
Kang-in Lee nearly snatched the lead for PSG in the 84th minute with a strike from outside the area that struck the post. End-to-end play persisted, and in the 90th minute, PSG found the winner as Vitinha released Hakimi down the flank, whose pinpoint cross was met by Ramos, steering home the decisive goal past Szczęsny.
Conclusion
Paris Saint-Germain’s resilience, squad depth, and success in integrating young talent were on full display as they overturned a first-half deficit to maintain their perfect start to the group stage. Barcelona, despite absentees and tactical adjustments, pushed their illustrious opponents to the limit but ultimately succumbed to a last-gasp winner.
