FC Barcelona's perfect start to the 2026/27 season has come to an end. After winning every game so far, Hansi Flick's side suffered their first defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain. The Catalans twice came from behind and looked capable of completing a memorable comeback, but two late goals earned the home side a 4–2 victory at the Parc des Princes.

It was a bitter ending to a thrilling contest in which Barça had 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 ultimately 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 opportunities. PSG were first to threaten, Kvaratskhelia striking the post after just two minutes and having a goal ruled out for offside, but Barça soon began to find their rhythm.

Pedri produced a wonderful run, Dani Olmo came close and Raphinha forced an excellent save from Matvey Safonov.

But Barça suffered a setback when Olmo was forced off injured midway through the half of his 100th appearance for Barça, and things got worse in the 38th minute. A misplaced pass allowed PSG to regain possession, and Désiré Doué finished the move with a powerful shot from the edge of the area.

Fermín López almost equalised immediately following 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

Barça gradually took control after the break, and in the 55th minute came 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 began to find more space, Gavi forced an excellent save, and João Cancelo also tested the PSG goalkeeper. For a spell, they looked the more likely winners…

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 their way back into the contest, the Catalans had every reason to believe that victory was still possible.

But 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 had shown considerable character against arguably the toughest opposition in European football.

But PSG have once again proved a particularly 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 victory to their growing collection of successes in this fixture.

For Hansi Flick and his players, the defeat brings an end to a remarkable winning sequence. The unbeaten record may be gone, but the season is still young, and Barça have shown that they can compete with Europe's elite.

And this weekend comes another chance to do just that against Real Madrid…