Ramos’ Late Winner Seals PSG’s Dramatic Comeback Victory Over Barcelona in Champions League
Paris Saint-Germain produced a thrilling comeback to defeat Barcelona 2-1 in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, with Gonçalo Ramos scoring a dramatic 90th-minute winner at the Nou Camp. Despite a growing injury list and the absence of key players, the defending champions showed resilience and quality to secure a vital away win in one of the toughest arenas in European football.
Barcelona Strike First with Early Pressure
Barcelona began the match brightly, pressing PSG high and dictating the early tempo. Their dominance was rewarded in the 19th minute when Marcus Rashford found space on the right. He delivered a perfectly weighted ball across the box, allowing Ferran Torres to time his run to perfection, beating the offside trap and calmly slotting past goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. The goal sent the home fans into raptures, giving Barcelona a deserved early lead.
The Spanish giants looked in control after the opener, pushing PSG back and testing their defensive resolve. However, the French champions gradually grew into the game, showing their trademark determination despite missing captain Marquinhos and their entire first-choice attacking trio of Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Désiré Doué.
Mendes Sparks PSG’s Response
PSG clawed their way back into the contest with determination and flair. Their equaliser arrived in the 38th minute through left-back Nuno Mendes, who delivered one of the standout moments of the night. The Portuguese defender embarked on a dazzling solo run, gliding past three defenders before squaring the ball to 19-year-old midfielder Senny Mayulu. The teenager kept his composure and struck a clinical low shot into the corner, leaving Barcelona stunned and PSG level.
The goal shifted the momentum. PSG, buoyed by their equaliser, continued to apply pressure, while Barcelona looked rattled and less assured on the ball.
Late Drama as Ramos Delivers
The second half was an end-to-end affair, with both sides creating opportunities. Barcelona’s midfield attempted to wrestle back control, while PSG sought to exploit spaces on the counterattack. The French side came agonisingly close in the 83rd minute when substitute Lee Kang-in unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box, only to see it crash against the post.
That miss only delayed PSG’s breakthrough. In the dying moments of regulation time, the visitors struck with a swift counterattack. Achraf Hakimi surged down the right flank and delivered a perfectly timed cross into the box, where substitute Gonçalo Ramos pounced. The Portuguese striker fired home from close range in the 90th minute, silencing the Barcelona crowd and sparking wild celebrations among the travelling PSG supporters.
Barcelona captain Frenkie de Jong admitted his disappointment after the match:
"It’s always painful to lose at home, especially when it’s in the last minute. We started the game well, but PSG were better in the second half. They controlled the final stages, and we couldn’t match them."
Elsewhere in the Champions League
It was another action-packed night of European football, with late drama and standout performances across the continent.
Manchester City had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Monaco after Eric Dier scored a dramatic 90th-minute penalty for the French side. City had led twice but were pegged back in stoppage time, leaving Pep Guardiola’s men frustrated.
Juventus also endured a similar fate, drawing 2-2 with Villarreal after conceding a late equaliser from Renato Veiga. Despite dominating possession, the Italian giants could not hold on to secure all three points.
In contrast, Arsenal continued their impressive form with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Olympiakos. Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring inside 12 minutes, and Bukayo Saka sealed the result with a stoppage-time goal. Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard praised his side’s improvement, saying:
"You can see the depth and quality we now have in the squad. Everyone is fighting to keep their place, and that’s driving us forward. Hopefully, this will be our year in Europe."
Newcastle United also enjoyed a commanding 4-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise, with German striker Nick Woltemade once again proving his worth. Signed to replace Alexander Isak after his big-money move to Liverpool, the 23-year-old scored his third goal in four starts. His instinctive finish in the 17th minute set Newcastle on their way, with Anthony Gordon converting two penalties and Harvey Barnes adding a fourth late on.
Woltemade has quickly become a fan favourite, though supporters know he has a long way to go to match Isak’s prolific record of 54 goals in 78 Premier League starts. Still, his early contributions suggest Newcastle may have found another reliable scorer.
Meanwhile, Qarabag FK extended their perfect start to the Champions League group stage with a 2-0 victory over Copenhagen. Goals from Abdellah Zoubir and Emmanuel Addai ensured the Azerbaijani champions maintained momentum, keeping them on track for a surprise run in the competition.
PSG Prove Their Title Credentials
For PSG, the victory over Barcelona was more than just three points — it was a statement of intent. With several key players sidelined, Luis Enrique’s squad demonstrated their depth, resilience, and winning mentality. The contributions of youngsters like Mayulu, combined with the impact of substitutes Ramos and Lee Kang-in, highlighted the balance in PSG’s squad.
The defending champions are determined to retain their crown, and performances like this will only strengthen belief in Paris that another deep run in the competition is possible.
Barcelona, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly. While their attacking play looked sharp in patches, lapses in concentration and defensive vulnerabilities proved costly. With the group stage still wide open, Xavi’s men must bounce back if they are to avoid further setbacks.