Barcelona-PSG Champions League thriller proves it: These are the best two clubs in the world

Paris Saint-Germain produced a ruthless performance at Parc des Princes to end Barcelona's perfect start to the season, beating the visitors 4-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday and showing why PSG are still the best club side in the world.

PSG, aiming to win a third successive Champions League this season, saw Barca twice come back and cancel out leads from goals by Désiré Doué and Lucas Hernández with their equalisers from Xavi Espart and Lamine Yamal.

Barcelona went into the game having won all 11 games played so far in all competitions this season, but despite Yamal's stunning 79th minute equaliser, the LaLiga champions couldn't stop Luis Enrique's side in Paris.

It was vintage PSG as they did what they have done so often in the Champions League by finding another gear in the closing stages to blow away a formidable opponent. An 81st minute Vitinha strike restored PSG's lead for a third and final time, and Fabián Ruiz made the game safe with the fourth goal five minutes later.

This was a statement win by PSG, but with Barcelona keeping an eye toward Real Madrid next up in El Clasico on Sunday, Barca showed why they can be a genuine threat to the French club's hopes of a Champions League three-peat this season. -- Mark Ogden

Barcelona and PSG live up to billing as world's best teams

PSG and Barcelona went into this game as the two best club teams in the world: PSG as back-to-back Champions League winners, and Barca as the unstoppable force that had made a perfect start to this season with 11 wins from 11 games.

Something had to give in Paris -- and ultimately it was Barcelona's winning streak. After a thrilling back and forth, PSG showed Hansi Flick's Barcelona what it takes to be the No. 1.

But don't let that take anything away from Barca. They played their part in an incredible game at Parc des Princes and made PSG look human -- for 80 minutes anyway.

On the flip side, PSG's level also made Barcelona look ordinary at times when they are anything but. But when two sides of such absolute quality go head-to-head, they live up to the hype by showing the very best of themselves.

PSG ran rampant against Manchester City in a 4-2 win at the Etihad last week, but they controlled that game and never looked in danger of losing. It was a different story against Barca, who made them work harder than at any time since last season's Champions League final against Arsenal. PSG had to step up and they did.

But so did Barcelona. Even in defeat, they showcased why they can win the Champions League this season. Lamine Yamal's stunning goal showed he can beat the best on his own and he will no doubt do that this season.

So, while Barca's winning run ends, they showed they are a worthy rival to PSG. But PSG are still the gold standard for everyone to aspire to. -- Ogden

Barcelona face first true test of the season

Barcelona's winning start to the campaign ends at 11. Coach Hansi Flick said before the game that facing PSG was a "huge opportunity" for his side to show how much they have closed the gap on Europe's elite since he took charge in 2024.

At times in Paris they did demonstrate they can compete with Luis Enrique's side, but they also showed vulnerabilities as they tasted defeat for the first time season.

There are caveats, of course. There is perhaps no tougher game in European football right now than a trip to the Parc des Princes. Barça were also without Jules Koundé, Eric García and Andreas Christensen, leaving them short in defence. But they were still able to field a decent side while maintaining a strong bench.

Despite that, they gave up 22 shots to PSG, with goalkeeper Joan García making 10 saves. They could have defended the goals better. Doué was given all the time in the world. Hernández out jumped Anthony Gordon easily and Vitinha was left alone on the edge of the box just moments after Yamal had drawn Barça level again at 2-2.

There were positives. Barça have often crumbled in Europe in recent years but they twice fought back, through teenagers Espart and Yamal, and at times looked as likely as PSG to go on and win it. The loss will serve as a wake-up call but will not dampen their long-term prospects. As Luis Enrique said on Tuesday, the proper business starts in April. -- Sam Marsden

An up-and-down night for Ballon d'Or hopeful Lamine Yamal

It was a mixed night for Yamal in the end. The first 45 minutes were tough. He completed zero take-ons through the first half for just the second time this season. Worse still, his error, a chipped pass straight to João Neves, led to PSG's opening goal.

He woke up in the second half, though. First of all, he was involved in the move which led to Espart's equaliser, playing a one-two with the full-back in the build-up to the goal. There was then a beautiful nutmeg on Hernández before a fine pass set up substitute Gavi, who should really have scored.

Then came his crowning moment, his 10th goal of the season. Taking advantage of the fact Warren Zaïre-Emery had just replaced Hernández, he breezed past the midfielder, fired into the roof of Matvey Safonov's net and then peeled away to the visiting fans in the corner of the stadium to celebrate.

Even when he seems to be having an off day, Yamal still can produce big moments, all while working increasingly hard. No Barça player bettered his 10 ball recoveries on the night. -- Marsden