Barcelona first defeat of 2026/27 arrived in Paris, ending an 11-win run in all competitions. Hansi Flick’s side lost 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes. The Catalans twice came from behind and looked capable of a memorable comeback, but two late goals gave the home side victory.
It was a bitter end to a contest in which Barça more than held their own against the reigning European champions. Goals from Xavi Espart and Lamine Yamal cancelled out strikes from Désiré Doué and Lucas Hernández, but Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz tipped the balance in PSG’s favour.
Chances at both ends
The game began at a furious pace, with both teams pressing high and creating chances. PSG threatened first, Kvaratskhelia striking the post after just two minutes and having a goal ruled out for offside. Barça soon found their rhythm. Pedri produced a wonderful run, Dani Olmo came close and Raphinha forced an excellent save from Matvey Safonov.
Barça then suffered a setback when Olmo was forced off injured midway through the half, on his 100th appearance for the club. Things got worse in the 38th minute, when a misplaced pass let PSG regain possession and Désiré Doué finished the move with a powerful shot from the edge of the area.
Fermín López almost equalised immediately after a magnificent pass from Pedri, but Safonov stood firm. At the other end, Joan García made several important saves to keep Barça within touching distance at half-time.
Espart levels the score
Barça gradually took control after the break, and the 55th minute brought a moment to remember for Xavi Espart. The young full-back, who had already impressed defensively, surged forward to meet a perfectly weighted pass from Fermín and fired past Safonov to make it 1-1.
The equaliser gave Barça fresh confidence. Lamine Yamal found more space, Gavi forced an excellent save and João Cancelo also tested the PSG goalkeeper. For a spell, Barça looked the more likely winners.
A dramatic finale
But PSG are champions of Europe for a reason. Former Barça man Ferran Torres, on for the injured Ousmane Dembélé, struck the post, and then Lucas Hernández restored the home side’s lead with a powerful header from a corner in the 72nd minute.
Once again, Barça refused to surrender. Seven minutes later, Lamine Yamal took advantage of a defensive mistake to burst into the area and fire a fierce shot past Safonov at his near post.
At 2-2, the dream of extending Barça’s perfect start was very much alive. Having twice fought back, the Catalans had every reason to believe victory was still possible.
The celebrations had barely subsided when Vitinha put PSG back in charge, finding the bottom corner with a superb effort from the edge of the area in the 81st minute. Barça pushed forward in search of a third equaliser, but that ambition left spaces at the back, and Fabián Ruiz added a fourth for the hosts in the 87th minute.
The perfect run ends
The final score was harsh on a Barça side that showed considerable character against arguably the toughest opposition in European football.
PSG have once again proved a painful opponent for the blaugranes. Almost a decade after Barça’s unforgettable 6-1 comeback in 2017, the Parisians continue to exact revenge, adding another win to their growing collection in this fixture.
For Flick and his players, the defeat ends a remarkable run of 11 wins in all competitions. The unbeaten record may be gone, but the season is young, and Barça have shown they can compete with Europe’s elite.
Their next chance to prove it comes this weekend against Real Madrid.