Paris St-Germain produced a thrilling second-half comeback to beat Barcelona 4-2 at Parc des Princes, with Desire Doue, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz scoring to end the visitors’ 11-match unbeaten start to the season.
Champions League holders PSG took the lead through Doue in the 38th minute, after both sides had missed a series of clear opportunities. Barcelona equalised 10 minutes after half-time through 19-year-old full-back Xavi Espart, who beat Matvey Safonov at his near post.
Lucas Hernandez restored PSG’s advantage with a powerful header from a corner, but Lamine Yamal levelled again with an excellent near-post finish.
Vitinha put the hosts in front for a third time less than two minutes later, striking a volley into the bottom corner. Fabian Ruiz then made the result safe five minutes afterwards, meeting Achraf Hakimi’s low cross at the back post.
PSG began with an aggressive high press and created an early opening after Pedri was dispossessed. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia struck the foot of the post after only 79 seconds, while Joan Garcia subsequently kept out efforts from Doue and Ousmane Dembele following further turnovers.
Barcelona responded with a series of quick attacks. Raphinha ran on to an Anthony Gordon pass but could only shoot straight at Safonov, while Garcia was twice called upon to deny former Barcelona team-mate Ferran Torres before the interval.
The goalkeeper was unable to prevent PSG from opening the scoring, however. After intercepting a Barcelona pass out from defence, Doue carried the ball to the edge of the area and drove a low finish into the bottom-left corner.
Fermin Lopez was denied by Safonov in a one-on-one shortly before half-time, but Barcelona found an equaliser when Espart burst into the penalty area and fired into the near post 10 minutes after the restart.
Barcelona appeared increasingly likely to score next. Torres hit the post at the end of a rapid counter-attack, only for Hernandez to head PSG back in front from a corner.
Yamal then supplied a moment of individual brilliance, turning Warren Zaire-Emery before racing into the box and squeezing his shot between Safonov and the post.
PSG immediately regained control. Vitinha brought a clearance under control with his chest and sent a superb volley into the bottom corner, before Ruiz converted Hakimi’s cross to complete an exhilarating victory.
PSG now have nine points and will travel to Spain to face Villarreal on Tuesday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.
Barcelona remain on six points and will host Aston Villa at Camp Nou at the same time.
