PSG Defeat Barcelona 4-2 as Late Goals Extend Champions League Winning Run
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Paris Saint-Germain continued their impressive UEFA Champions League campaign with a 4-2 victory over Barcelona, scoring twice in the closing stages to secure their third consecutive win in the league phase.
Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz found the net late in the match on Tuesday, helping the defending champions overcome a determined Barcelona side at the Parc des Princes. The result also handed Barcelona their first defeat of the season after winning their previous 11 matches across all competitions.
Desire Doue opened the scoring for PSG in the 38th minute, striking a powerful effort into the bottom corner after receiving the ball outside the penalty area.
Barcelona responded after the break when Xavi Espart broke through to equalise, despite PSG having created several promising opportunities earlier in the contest.
The hosts regained the advantage with 18 minutes remaining as Lucas Hernandez scored with a well-placed header. Barcelona refused to give up, and Lamine Yamal restored parity seven minutes later after getting past Warren Zaire-Emery.
However, PSG took control in the final stages. Vitinha struck from outside the penalty area in the 81st minute before Ruiz completed the scoring with a close-range finish.
The victory followed PSG’s 4-2 triumph over Manchester City in their previous Champions League fixture, keeping the French club firmly among the leading teams in the competition.
Despite the win, PSG faced injury concerns as Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and captain Marquinhos were forced off during the match.
Ruiz said the team remained focused on its own performance and believed in the contributions of both starting players and substitutes, adding that a long road remained in the competition.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick highlighted several positive aspects of his team’s performance, particularly its aggressive pressing, although the Catalan club ultimately could not match PSG’s finishing in the closing minutes.
Liverpool Complete Comeback Against Villarreal
Liverpool maintained their winning record in the Champions League with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Villarreal at Anfield after recovering from a two-goal deficit.
Villarreal took an early lead in the fourth minute when Georges Mikautadze capitalised on a defensive mistake by Virgil van Dijk. Sergi Cardona then increased the visitors’ advantage after breaking through Liverpool’s defence.
Alexis Mac Allister reduced the deficit nine minutes before half-time, heading home from a Kostas Tsimikas corner.
Liverpool equalised in first-half stoppage time when Ronald Araujo converted a header at the far post following a cross from Rio Ngumoha.
Mac Allister later completed the turnaround with a finish from Ngumoha’s pass, while substitute Florian Wirtz scored his first goal of the season to strengthen Liverpool’s position.
Villarreal’s Tani Oluwaseyi added late pressure, but Liverpool held on to secure another important European victory.
Villarreal manager Andoni Iraola praised his team’s effort but expressed concern about the number of goals conceded during the campaign.
Foden Hat-Trick Powers Manchester City
Manchester City produced a convincing 5-1 win over AEK Athens, with Phil Foden scoring three goals in an outstanding attacking display.
Elliot Anderson opened the scoring with his first goal for City before Foden doubled the advantage. AEK briefly threatened a comeback when Stavros Pilios scored early in the second half.
Rayan Cherki restored City’s two-goal cushion in the 57th minute, after which Foden added two more goals to complete his hat-trick.
Erling Haaland was rested after sustaining a knock at the weekend, but City’s attacking performance ensured a comfortable victory.
Foden said he was gradually returning to form and acknowledged that he still had work to do to reach his best level.
Roma and Napoli Secure Important Wins
Roma recorded their first Champions League victory since 2019 with a commanding 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico.
Napoli also enjoyed a successful night, defeating Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt 4-3 in an entertaining contest. Scott McTominay scored twice as Napoli recovered from being pegged back on two occasions to claim the win.
Atletico Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Stuttgart in Germany, despite spending much of the second half with 10 players.
Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, ended a run of four consecutive away defeats in the Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Sabah in Baku.
