PSG underline their status as European champions

-

Barcelona 1 - 2 PSG

Paris Saint-Germain underlined their status as elite side once more as they overcame injuries to defeat Barcelona.

Author | Jack L

Stadium | Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys

Super News Football 2025 | Champions League | Barcelona v PSG | PSG corner

The holders arrived in Catalonia without their injured front three of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué, as well as captain Marquinhos, while João Neves was ruled out after the warm-up. Yet Luis Enrique’s side, who claimed the treble last season by dismantling Internazionale 5-0 in the final, still found a way to take all three points.

Barcelona, champions of Spain and among the most watchable teams in Europe until their semi-final elimination last term, began brightly. Marcus Rashford and Lamine Yamal carried a threat from the flanks and the hosts deservedly went in front.

PSG responded with composure and their tireless full-backs created both goals. Mayulu, 19, who had announced himself with a strike in the Munich final, netted his second in the competition before substitute Gonçalo Ramos secured the victory late on, moments after Lee Kang-in had struck the post.

Super News Football 2025 | Champions League | Barcelona v PSG | Barca corner
Pictures from the stands in Barcelona

Hints of a period of domination for PSG

After Ferran Torres gave Barcelona an early lead, Paris Saint-Germain’s response came from unexpected quarters. Senny Mayulu, the 19-year-old midfielder asked to play as a centre forward, struck the equaliser before half-time.

Ibrahim Mbaye, just 17 and making his first Champions League start, played his part in the build-up with neat interplay alongside Nuno Mendes. Later, 18-year-old Quentin Ndjantou was handed only his second senior outing and injected enough energy and fearlessness in his cameo to show why Luis Enrique was prepared to trust him on such a stage.

READ MORE |  Paris St-Germain begin Champions League defence in emphatic fashion

READ MORE |  Luis Enrique crowned men's coach of the year

The win, PSG’s second in as many games, not only consolidates their early position but also reflects a shift in the club’s strategy. Having resisted the lure of headline-grabbing signings this summer, Luis Enrique has placed faith in academy graduates, accelerating the rise of Mayulu, Mbaye and Ndjantou.

Location: Passeig Olímpic, 15-17, Sants-Montjuïc, 08038 Barcelona, Spain

Popular posts from this blog

Braga stun Celtic after VAR controversy

-
Image
Celtic 2 - 0 Braga Celtic suffered further European disappointment as goals in each half and a controversial disallowed equaliser earned Braga victory in what was a chaotic encounter. Author |  Sean M Stadium |  Celtic Park Kick-off Kasper Schmeichel had an error-strewn game in goal and failed to keep out Ricardo Horta 's early long-range effort, which stunned the Celtic Park crowd into silence. The Dane then did well to keep out a late shot but was helpless when the ball bounced off Gabri Martinez in a botched clearance and rebounded into the net to seal all the points. After their Champions League qualification failure against Kairat Almaty , and an opening Europa League draw with Red Star Belgrade , this continued Celtic's disappointing start to their European campaign. In fact, so sharp has been the drop-off since last season, that Brendan Rodgers ' side may struggle to qualify for the latter stages of the Europa League unless they can find their way again, and q...
Read more

Mourinho’s return to England ends in defeat

-
Image
Chelsea 1 - 0 Benfica  A much-needed win for Chelsea as they picked up their first points of their Champions League campaign. Author |  Lauren W Stadium | Stamford Bridge  View from the stands José Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge ended in disappointment as Chelsea edged past his new club Benfica with a narrow Champions League win sealed by Richard Rios ’ first-half own goal.  The affection from the home crowd was evident, with Mourinho serenaded throughout and responding with waves to both ends of the ground, but the evening turned on a moment of misfortune when the Colombian midfielder diverted Alejandro Garnacho ’s driven cross beyond his own goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin . Chelsea, however, did little to convince despite the victory. Garnacho spurned chances on his second start and teenage substitute Estevão Willian forced only a late save from Trubin, while João Pedro ’s stoppage-time dismissal for a second booking made it three red cards in four matches ...
Read more

Live commentary recap | Latvia v England

-
Image
Latvia v England live commentary Three points here and England will have qualified for the 2026 World Cup Author |  Lauren W This will be the place for live commentary from England's trip to Latvia. Full-time  England have qualified for the World Cup with two games to spare. Against limited opposition granted but that was a superb performance from The Three Lions. 85 minutes | Eze makes it five! He scored against Latvia in March, and Eberechi Eze adds another against them tonight. A precise low finish followed after Jarrod Bowen did well to win possession on the halfway line. The perfect finishing touch. 74 minutes | “A thoroughly professional display from Thomas Tuchel’s side...” Gez wanted to travel to Latvia for the match but had to settle for watching on TV. He has been impressed with the performance: “Just the 19 efforts on goal for England, with 41 touches inside Latvia’s penalty area. A thoroughly professional display from Thomas Tuchel’s side tonight.” 57 minutes |...
Read more