Paris Saint-Germain 2-3 FC Barcelona: Andreas Christensen nets winner with first touch in five-goal thriller

Barcelona came from behind to beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 at the Parc des Princes to take a one-goal advantage into their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg in Catalonia.

Raphinha put Barca into a one-goal lead on 37 minutes as he curled an effort into the net which had been vacated by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

But PSG provided a stunning turnaround with two goals in three minutes immediately after half-time as Ousmane Dembele fired home before Vitinha scored his maiden Champions League goal to put the hosts ahead.

Spearheaded by a double change on the hour mark, Barca drew level as Raphinha scored his second, latching onto Pedri’s excellent ball just a minute after his introduction.

Another substitute, Andreas Christensen, completed the turnaround as Barca take an advantage for their home second leg – a feat they have not achieved in their last two attempts.

PSG will rue missed chances as Bradley Barcola and Dembele both saw efforts denied by the woodwork, and PSG boss Luis Enrique will be hoping to perform a comeback akin to the one he masterminded as Barca boss in 2017, which knocked out the French champions in the last 16.

PSG’s showed in their blistering start to the second half that they can score goals without Mbappe’s influence, but the way Barcelona petered the striker out of much of the game was key to their success at the Parc des Princes.

Mbappe, who has scored 39 times in all competitions this season, was given space to run on left flank at the start of the match but his opposite number, Jules Kounde, offered the striker very slim pickings with regard to clear-cut chances throughout the evening.

Xavi’s game plan was seemingly worked to perfection, until two goals from three minutes by the hosts threw the game into contention. But the visitors’ character and resolve was on show to overturn the deficit and return to Barcelona with a one-goal advantage.

Barca, who are in their first Champions League quarter-final since 2020, beat PSG in Paris for the first time in nine years – and with the professionalism of their display in the French capital, they will see the rest of the road to Wembley shaping up rather nicely.

It was a stunning performance from the former Leeds United winger, who had to display pinpoint accuracy for the opening goal with his first-time effort.

And the second was even sweeter, as he sent Pedri’s stunning pass beyond Donnarumma with a stylish finish.

The Brazil forward was a threat throughout and spearheaded so much of Barca’s positive play.

PSG: Donnarumma 4, Marquinhos 5, Hernandez 5, Beraldo 5, Mendes 7, Lee 5, Vitinha 7, Ruiz 6, Dembele 7, Asensio 5, Mbappe 4. Subs: Barcola 6, Ramos 5, Zaire-Emery 5.

Barca: ter Stegen 5, Cancelo 6, Cubarsi 7, Araujo 7, Kounde 8, Gundogan 7, de Jong 6, Roberto 5, Raphinha 9*, Lewandowski 8, Yamal 7. Subs: Christensen 7, Felix 5, Lopez 5, Pedri 7, Torres 5.

37′ GOAL! PSG 0-1 BARCELONA (RAPHINHA) He has threatened all night and the visitors take a lead! Lewandowski feeds Lamal who plays in a great ball, Donnarumma rushes out and leaves Raphinha with a huge amount of space in the box to shape an effort past the recovering defence. Advantage Barca!

48′ GOAL! PSG 1-1 BARCELONA (DEMBELE) Dembele with a belter against his former side! The perfect start to the first half for PSG. He begins the move with a heavily weight pass to Mbappe in behind, but he kept it alive with a cross which was deflected back to Dembele. The 26-year-old worked the ball onto his left foot before slamming an unstoppable effort above ter Stegen, brushing the roof of the net.

51′ GOAL! PSG 2-1 BARCELONA (VITINHA) WHAT IS GOING ON?! The game has been turned on its head. Barcola moves the ball well on the right before Ruiz darts into the box, laying off to the onrushing Vitinha who strokes a calm effort past ter Stegen and steers his side into the lead.

55′ PSG TEST THE WOODWORK Barcola has been fantastic since coming on and he nearly grabs a third goal in seven minutes as his powerful effort is tipped onto the crossbar by ter Stegen.

62′ GOAL! PSG 2-2 BARCELONA (RAPHINHA) We’re level again, it’s Raphinha again and it’s absolutely outstanding. Pedri, with what must be his first touch of the match, sends an exquisite ball over the top and Raphinha fires home with a stylish effort off the outside of his foot. This is the second half that just keeps giving!

75′ DEMBELE HITS THE POST A great, incisive move sees Dembele set free in the Barca box, his shapes his effort towards the far post but he can only clip the outside of the woodwork. Inches from a go-ahead goal there. PSG continue to push.

77′ GOAL! PSG 2-3 BARCELONA (CHRISTENSEN) ANOTHER SUPER SUB! An incredible corner by Gundogan meets the head of the substutute defender, who barely had to leap, and Donnarumma can’t keep it out. The game takes yet another swing and Barca are back in the driving seat with 13 left to play!