PSG 2-1 Barcelona (Oct 1, 2025) Game Analysis

Substitute Gonçalo Ramos struck a last-minute winner as Paris Saint-Germain became the first team to win three times away to Barcelona in European competitions with a 2-1 victory at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

Ramos sealed a Champions League comeback victory to the delight of PSG’s former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique after Achraf Hakimi had exposed the hosts’ high defensive line.

Ferran Torres had put Barcelona ahead inside 20 minutes to establish a club record by scoring in 45 consecutive games.

But the reigning European champions were level by halftime as Senny Mayulu, 19, converted in fine fashion.

This was a heavyweight clash between two teams that had won their opening Champions League ties and could conceivably contest the Budapest final in May.

Both sides were without key players as Barcelona lined up minus goalkeeper Joan García, Gavi, Fermín López and Raphinha.

PSG’s casualty list included captain Marquinhos, Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé, and there was more frustration before kickoff as João Neves reported a problem in the warmup and was not risked.

Lamine Yamal almost skated his way through the PSG defense in the opening moments, and Barcelona did all the early running.

But Illia Zabarnyi nearly gave the visitors the lead after rising unchallenged from a Nuno Mendes corner.

PSG players celebrate after scoring a goal against Barcelona in the Champions League.

Defender Zabarnyi was in more familiar territory two minutes later with a goal-line clearance, Yamal’s pass splitting the defense and Torres skipping past PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.

Barcelona went ahead after 19 minutes as Vitinha’s wayward pass was pounced on by Yamal, who fed Pedri.

The ball was quickly moved wide to Marcus Rashford and his pass was matched by the sliding finish of Torres.

Dani Olmo saw an effort deflected wide, but Luis Enrique’s side grew in confidence as the first half developed.

Rashford conceded a needless free kick for Hakimi to test Wojciech Szczesny, and the Parisians leveled seven minutes before the break.

Mendes showed little effects of a kick on the Achilles moments earlier to stride forward with purpose.

Pau Cubarsi’s weak interception attempt allowed Mayulu, a scorer off the bench in last season’s 5-0 Champions League final demolition of Inter Milan, to equalize with a confident left-footed finish.

It should have got better for the French visitors, but the unmarked Bradley Barcola lifted the ball over the crossbar three minutes from halftime.

Barcola bypassed Gerard Martín after the restart to warm Szczesny’s gloves, but Barcelona almost regained the lead as Hakimi rushed back to block Olmo’s goal-bound effort.

Lee Kang-in cannoned a shot against the woodwork with seven minutes left, and PSG’s strong finish was rewarded by the clinical Ramos.

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