Paris Saint-Germain pulled off a dramatic 2-1 win against Barcelona in a thrilling Champions League match on October 1st. 

After falling behind to a Ferran Torres goal, PSG—even with many star players injured—fought back with an equalizer from teenager Senny Mayulu. 

The match was sealed in the final minute when substitute Goncalo Ramos netted the game-winner, showcasing PSG’s strong squad depth. 

This huge win gives the reigning champions a major boost in the standings and sends a clear message that they are determined to defend their title, while Barcelona is left facing tough questions about their defensive strategy.

Barcelona, playing in their temporary home while Camp Nou is under renovation, began the match with fierce intensity. 

Their dominance paid off in the 19th minute when new signing Marcus Rashford delivered a sharp, low cross from the left flank, which Ferran Torres slotted home unmarked. 

The goal energized the crowd and gave Hansi Flick’s side a deserved advantage after controlling the opening exchanges.

However, the tide began to turn just before the half. Under the guidance of former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, PSG showcased their pedigree. 

Nuno Mendes carved open the defense with a dazzling run, setting up 19-year-old Senny Mayulu for a composed finish into the bottom corner. 

The equalizer—Mayulu’s second UCL goal—silenced the home support and marked a shift in momentum that carried into the second half, where PSG’s full-backs, Mendes and Achraf Hakimi, became central to their attack.

In the second half, both teams traded blows. 

But it was PSG’s strength in depth that proved decisive. 

Lee Kang-in, brought on as a substitute, rattled the post in the 83rd minute. 

Then, in the 90th minute, the pressure finally broke Barcelona’s defense. 

Captain Achraf Hakimi delivered a precise cross that found substitute Goncalo Ramos unmarked, allowing him to score with a first-time finish. 

The goal was the first away last-minute winner ever conceded by Barcelona in European competition.

PSG’s victory was made even more impressive by the sheer number of key players missing from their lineup. 

The defending Champions League winners traveled to Catalonia without stars like Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue, captain Marquinhos, and midfielder Joao Neves, who pulled out during the warm-up.

Despite the absences, the players on the field rose to the challenge. 

Nuno Mendes was particularly outstanding, not only providing the assist for Mayulu’s goal but also putting in a phenomenal defensive shift against Barcelona’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, earning him player-of-the-match honors.

Ramos, who also scored a last-minute goal in PSG’s 4-0 opener against Atalanta, perfectly summed up the team’s mindset, stating, “We want to win everything again. We’re not happy with just last season.” 

His brace in two UCL games highlights the squad’s remarkable strength in depth, a testament to their hefty €300 million summer spending spree.

For Barcelona, the result was a difficult pill to swallow. 

Captain Frenkie de Jong acknowledged the blow but maintained hope: “This loss will hurt us, but it’s not decisive… We need to improve.” 

The defeat dropped Barcelona to 16th place with three points, exposing vulnerabilities in their high defensive line, which, while aggressive, left them open to PSG’s rapid counterattacks.

This crucial victory propels PSG to third in the league phase standings with six points, placing them level with leaders Bayern Munich and Real Madrid on points, separated only by goal difference. 

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s slip to 16th puts them in a precarious position, as the teams finishing 9th to 24th must participate in a playoff round to reach the knockout stages.

The win not only hands PSG a vital three points in a format that rewards consistency but also sends a powerful message across Europe: even with a heavily rotated squad, the reigning champions remain a formidable benchmark. 

Coach Luis Enrique, who famously guided Barcelona to a treble in 2015, savored the result against his former club, noting, “A close match, but we believed despite the injuries.”

The rivalry between these two sides has a rich and dramatic history, including Barcelona’s famed 2017 ‘La Remontada’ comeback from a 4-0 first-leg deficit. 

This latest chapter adds another thrilling moment to their 17 meetings.

Looking at the upcoming schedule, PSG will host Strasbourg domestically before a challenging European trip to face Leverkusen. 

Barcelona, meanwhile, faces domestic fixtures against Sevilla and Girona before hosting Olympiacos in the Champions League. 

This early-season result serves as a stark wake-up call for Barcelona and a resounding declaration of intent from PSG’s reloaded squad.