PSG beats Barcelona 4-2, handing Flick's side its first loss
Paris Saint-Germain beat Barcelona 4-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday. Désiré Doué, Lucas Hernández, Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz scored for PSG. It was Barcelona's first defeat in 12 games this season, just days before the club visits Real Madrid on Sunday.
Paris Saint-Germain beat Barcelona 4-2 at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday in a Champions League game that Sky Sports said had 40 shots at goal. It was Barcelona's first defeat in 12 games this season, the network reported.
Désiré Doué gave PSG the lead in the 38th minute after a loose clearance by Lamine Yamal, according to Sky Sports. Barcelona's Xavi Espart, a 19-year-old from the club's youth academy, tied the score in the 55th minute, The Guardian reported. It was his first goal in Europe.
Lucas Hernández put PSG back in front with a header from a set piece in the 72nd minute, and Yamal tied it again with a shot from a tight angle in the 79th, Sky Sports reported. Vitinha scored from the edge of the box two minutes later, and Fabián Ruiz added a tap-in in the 86th minute.
There were injuries on both sides. Ousmane Dembélé, who holds the Ballon d'Or, left inside the first 20 minutes with a suspected hamstring problem, Sky Sports reported. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was helped off in the second half, and Barcelona's Dani Olmo was taken off in the first half.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick started Rodri on the bench with this weekend's game against Real Madrid in mind, according to The Guardian. Sky Sports said Barcelona leads La Liga and visits Real Madrid on Sunday for the season's first El Clásico.
"They deserved it. They were the better team and had the better moments with real quality," Barcelona forward Anthony Gordon said on TNT Sports, according to Sky Sports.
The Guardian's Barney Ronay said the game exposed the frailty of Barcelona's back line.
What we know: PSG won 4-2 with two late goals, and Barcelona's unbeaten start is over.
What we don't: How long Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia will be out.
Where outlets agree The Guardian and Sky Sports both report PSG's 4-2 win, with Doué opening the scoring and Espart and Yamal twice drawing Barcelona level.
Where they differ The Guardian calls it an exhibition-style game in which the score barely seemed to matter, while Sky Sports calls it a classic and a contender for match of the season.