PSG Beat Barcelona but Pay a Heavy Price as Kvaratskhelia Ruptures ACL

Paris Saint-Germain beat Barcelona 4-2 at the Parc des Princes to hand the Catalans their first defeat of the season and move to three wins from three in the Champions League — but the result came at a severe cost.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ruptured his ACL during the match, an injury that is likely to end his involvement in the competition for the rest of the season. The Georgian winger was named the Champions League's player of the season last campaign, contributing 10 goals and six assists as PSG defended their European crown.

Not the only blow

PSG's night got worse still: forward Ousmane Dembele and captain Marquinhos both picked up thigh injuries in the same match and are expected to be sidelined for several weeks. Luis Enrique's side, already missing some of the squad depth that carried them to back-to-back titles, now face a stretch of fixtures leaning heavily on summer signings Ferran Torres, Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts, brought in partly to cover the departure of Bradley Barcola to Liverpool.

Barcelona's unbeaten run ends

For Barcelona, the defeat ended an 11-match winning streak to start the season, despite Lamine Yamal scoring a stunning solo goal in Paris. Hansi Flick's side had scored 50 goals in their first 12 matches of the campaign, but conceding four in Paris — having been level deep into the second half — raises familiar questions about their defensive solidity against Europe's elite.

• Result: PSG 4-2 Barcelona
• Barcelona's run ended: 11 matches unbeaten to start the season
• PSG injuries: Kvaratskhelia (ACL, likely season-ending), Dembele and Marquinhos (thigh, several weeks)
• Kvaratskhelia last season: 10 Champions League goals, 6 assists