Champions League: PSG edge Barcelona in another thriller, Foden hat-trick helps City past AEK Athens
PSG's Lucas Hernandez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal. (AP Photo/Teresa Suarez)
Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz struck late goals to help Paris St Germain punish Barcelona’s frailty in defence in a 4-2 Champions League victory at Parc des Princes.
Vitinha produced a brilliant finish from just outside the area in the 81st minute, moments after Lamine Yamal’s equaliser, before Ruiz made sure of the result shortly before the final whistle to keep PSG at the top of the league phase on goal difference.
Xavi Espart and Yamal were on target in the second half to give Barcelona hope but ultimately they were hamstrung by the number of mistakes made in defence.
Until the late flurry of goals, Barcelona had keeper Joan Garcia to thank for keeping them in contention and he made two saves in the first five minutes alone.
At the other end a driving run swept Pedri into the PSG area but Matvey Safonov palmed his shot to safety before Anthony Gordon missed a great opportunity at the far post.
Garcia brilliantly kept out an attempt by Ferran Torres after he was played in by Joao Neves and somehow PSG were denied the opener as they swarmed around the box firing off shots, with Barcelona’s keeper again coming to the rescue.
Torres had stepped off the bench as a 20th-minute replacement for the injured Ousmane Dembele but it was Desire Doue who put the champions ahead as half-time approached.
It began with an error as Barcelona continued their theme of giving the ball away easily and PSG pounced in a flash, setting up Doue who tucked a fine shot into the bottom left corner.
England winger Gordon was denied by Safonov in a one-on-one with the keeper that also saw him accidentally kick defender Willian Pacho in the head.
Barcelona trailed at the interval for the first time this season and it was Garcia’s skills that were keeping them in touch as he made another superb stop early in the second half.
But in the 56th minute the Spanish giants were level when Fermin Lopez played a one-two with Espart that released the right-back and his run ended with a slick finish.
PSG should have retaken the lead in the 72nd minute only for Torres to hit the right post from point-blank range, but their second did arrive moments later when Lucas Hernandez powered home a header from a corner.
Barcelona hit back as Yamal glided past Warren Zaire-Emery before pulling the trigger for a wonderful solo goal, but the champions rose to the occasion magnificently.
First Vitinha took the ball on his chest and drilled home from distance before Ruiz ensured it would be three wins from three games for Luis Enrique’s side.
Meanwhile, Phil Foden scored a hat-trick as Manchester City got their campaign back on track with an emphatic 5-1 win over AEK Athens.
Elliot Anderson, with his first goal for the club, and Rayan Cherki were also on the scoresheet in a one-sided contest at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
The Greek champions rallied early in the second half to cut the deficit to 2-1 through Stavros Palios but it was a rare moment of quality from the visitors.
City were superior in all departments even with a much-changed side as Enzo Maresca gave opportunities to fringe players.
Top scorer Erling Haaland, rested after an injury scare, remained rooted to the bench throughout.
Youngster Floyd Samba took the Norwegian’s place up front but the night was largely about Foden.
After two indifferent seasons and a frustrating start to the current one after his sending off in last month’s Manchester derby, the midfielder has returned in style in the past few days.
His strike in Saturday’s victory over Ipswich was his first since last December and his treble marked his first Champions League goals in almost 12 months.
Elsewhere, Scott McTominay scored his first two goals of the season to help Napoli beat Bodø/Glimt 4-3 and relieve pressure on coach Massimiliano Allegri.
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