Nuno Mendes shines in the exchange for Mayulu’s goal and equalizes Barcelona vs PSG in the Champions League Por Luís Henrique Costa
4 min de leitura
 |
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are tied at 1-1 at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona this Wednesday, in the second round of the Champions League 2025/26 league phase. The match, which started at 4:00 PM (Brasília time), saw Ferrán Torres open the scoring for the Catalan side at 18 minutes of the first half, but Mayulu equalized for the French at 37 minutes, following a move started by Nuno Mendes. The game remains ongoing, with the first half nearing 40 minutes, and Barcelona pressing to regain the lead.
The clash is marked by key absences on both sides, forcing tactical adjustments. Barcelona, coached by Hansi Flick, debuted in the competition with a 2-1 win over Newcastle away. PSG, led by Luis Enrique, thrashed Atalanta 4-0 in their opener.
Siga o Mix Vale no Google e veja nossas notícias primeiro
- Key stats up to 40 minutes:
- Shots: Barcelona 5 x 4 PSG
- Corners: Barcelona 1 x 4 PSG
- Possession: Barcelona 58% x PSG 42%
- Pass accuracy: Barcelona 90% x PSG 80%
- Yellow cards: Barcelona 1 x PSG 0
Key moments of the first half
- 1′: Match kicks off at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, with Barcelona and PSG starting their Champions League duel.
- 13′: Lamine Yamal plays a trivela pass to Ferrán Torres, who beats the keeper but is denied by Zabarnyi’s sliding clearance.
- 18′: Goal for Barcelona! Ferrán Torres scores after a precise pass from Rashford, capitalizing on Vitinha’s mistake. Score is 1-0.
- 31′: Yellow card for Frenkie de Jong for a foul on Nuno Mendes in a midfield challenge.
- 37′: Goal for PSG! Nuno Mendes links up with Mbaye, advances, and sets up Mayulu, who controls and shoots with his left to make it 1-1.
Lineups and absences
Barcelona fields Szczesny in goal, with Koundé, Eric García, Cubarsí, and Gerard Martín in defense. De Jong, Pedri, and Dani Olmo control the midfield, with Lamine Yamal, Rashford, and Ferrán Torres up top. Injuries sideline Ter Stegen, Joan García, Fermín López, Gavi, and Raphinha.
PSG has Chevalier in goal, with Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Pacho, and Nuno Mendes in defense. Fabián Ruiz, João Neves, and Vitinha form the midfield, with Mbaye, Mayulu, and Barcola in attack. The French side is without Marquinhos, Doué, Dembélé, and Kvaratskhelia, all injured. Zaïre-Emery starts at the last minute, replacing João Neves.
Barcelona’s early attacking pressure
The Catalan side started dominantly, with high pressing and superior possession from the opening minutes. Lamine Yamal created chances early, like at 1 minute, when he set up Ferrán Torres for a shot blocked by the defense.
At 15 minutes, Dani Olmo attempted a switch to the striker, but PSG’s defense closed the space. Barcelona kept up the pressure, forcing errors from PSG, leading to Ferrán Torres’ goal at 18 minutes. Hansi Flick’s strategy focuses on quick transitions down the right flank.
PSG’s response with wing play
Nuno Mendes stood out on the left, winning duels against Yamal at 6 minutes and delivering a corner at 11, when Zabarnyi headed just wide. At 17 minutes, Mbaye advanced down the right, earning a corner.
Luis Enrique’s side responded to the deficit with more shots, leveling the score at 37 minutes through a collective move. The link-up between Mendes and Mbaye exploited the left flank, with Mayulu finishing well in the box.
Shots and saves defining the balance
At 25 minutes, Pedri found Dani Olmo at the edge of the box, whose left-footed shot went just wide. Rashford struck first-time at 27 minutes after a corner, but PSG’s defense cleared it.
For PSG, Mayulu shot at 27 minutes, blocked by the defense, and Hakimi’s free-kick at 29 minutes was brilliantly saved by Szczesny. At 35 minutes, Lamine Yamal set up Rashford, who was stopped by Zabarnyi.
Zaïre-Emery misplaced a pass at 34 minutes, but PSG recovered in attack. The game remains open as the first half nears its end.
