Safonov, Hakimi, Marquinhos (c) (Zabarnyi, 59'), Pacho, Hernandez (Zaïre-Emery, 78'), Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz, Doué (Mayulu, 78'), Dembélé (Ferran, 20'), Kvaratskhelia (Akliouche, 59').
A week after their dazzling 4-2 victory in Manchester against the Citizens (2–4), Les Rouge et Bleu were back on the European stage with a massive clash against FC Barcelona. The Parc des Princes was buzzing with excitement as Paris got off to a flying start: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia hitting the post with the match’s first chance (2’). The side from the French capital enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges before the visitors responded through Dani Olmo, who shot just wide (14’).
The Spanish outfits captain Raphinha was then denied by an alert Matvey Safonov (20’). The two sides traded blows, but it was the Parisians who looked the more dangerous, with Ferran forcing Joan García into two fine saves (25’, 29’). In the end it was Désiré Doué who sent the Parc des Princes into rapture with a twinkling run through the centre that ended with a snap shot from the edge of the box (1–0, 38’)! The Spanish side responded immediately, but Safonov again came out on top against Fermín López, aided by a courageous Willian Pacho (40’).
Early in the second half, Achraf Hakimi came close to doubling the lead, but was once again denied by the opposition goalkeeper (51’). Barcelona equalised moments later through Xavi Espart, from the right-hand side of the box (1–1, 55’). Reinvigorated, the visitors took more control of the game, and Matvey Safonov was called into action once more, this time to deny Gavi (61’). It was impossible, however to keep the home side quiet for long and Ferran hit the post (71’), before Lucas Hernandez put Paris back in front with a thumping header from a corner (2–1, 72’).
Still this match between arguably Europe’s two most devastating attacks flowed from one end to the other. Lamine Yamal drew Barça level in the final quarter of an hour (2–2, 79’). But Les Rouge et Bleu still had energy in reserve and Vitinha, just as he had done in Manchester last week, scored the third goal for Paris (3–2, 81’)! This time, there was no way back for Barcelona, and Fabian Ruiz capitalised on yet another run down the wing by the tireless Achraf Hakimi to seal victory (4–2, 86’)! The triumph (and first loss of the season for FC Barcelona) sends Luis Enrique’s men provisionally top of the Champions League standings with three wins out of three.
Paris Saint-Germain celebrate with Lucas Hernandez, scorer of Les Rouge et Bleu's second goal of the night!
