Barcelona looked lively in the opening exchanges, particularly through 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, who returned to the starting XI with energy and flair. His direct running unsettled PSG early on, and in the 19th minute Ferran Torres gave Barça the lead, finishing Marcus Rashford’s clever first-time assist.

However, the French champions never panicked. Missing their entire first-choice forward line, Luis Enrique’s men gradually asserted control, with Nuno Mendes tormenting Barça’s right side. The equaliser arrived just before half-time when 19-year-old Senny Mayulu smashed home after a superb surge and pass from Mendes.

The second half belonged almost entirely to PSG. Achraf Hakimi repeatedly broke forward with menace, while Barça struggled to contain the visitors’ physicality and pressing. The decisive moment came in the final minute of normal time, as Hakimi once again powered down the right and squared for substitute Gonçalo Ramos to secure a deserved winner.

For Barcelona, it was a chastening night that underlined the gap between Flick’s developing team and Europe’s elite. Yamal’s early spark quickly faded under the relentless pressure of Mendes, Pedri worked tirelessly in midfield before fading, and Dani Olmo disappointed again in the playmaker’s role. Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, offered another assist and flashes of confidence, but it was not enough to mask Barcelona’s lack of solutions.

By contrast, PSG looked every inch the reigning champions, even without their attacking stars. Their control, resilience, and late winner showed the depth of Enrique’s squad  and served as a sobering reminder to Barcelona of how far they must climb to compete at the very top.