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10/20 16:55 CDT PSG bid for third straight Champions League title off to flyer
after wins against Barcelona and City
PSG bid for third straight Champions League title off to flyer after wins
against Barcelona and City
By JEROME PUGMIRE
AP Sports Writer
PARIS (AP) --- Paris Saint-Germain followed up its four goals against
Manchester City with another four against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Two big tests passed and PSG's bid for a third straight title is off to a
rampant start with three wins in a row and 14 goals scored overall.
The 4-2 victory at home to five-time champion Barcelona on Tuesday followed the
4-2 win at City last week.
Home and away, PSG is showing its attacking might and the depth of its squad,
not to mention the self-belief of its players.
Despite losing Ousmane Dembl and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to injury, PSG found a
way through as its relentless pressure led to two late goals against
previously-unbeaten Barcelona in a blockbuster.
A brilliant strike from Vitinha in the 81st minute and a close-range goal from
Fabian Ruiz sealed victory for the two-time defending champion.
By the end, jubilant PSG fans taunted Barcelona's players with chants of "Ol"
every time they touched the ball.
Not even a latest mesmerizing solo goal from 19-year-old star Lamine Yamal was
enough for Barca as the Catalan club's 11-game winning run came to an end at
Parc des Princes.
Yamal equalized for free-scoring Barcelona for the second time, when his goal
in the 79th minute made it 2-2.
The 19-year-old forward chested down a botched headed clearance from substitute
Warren Zaire-Emery and ghosted past him down the right flank with ease before
stabbing the ball inside the post. It was the Catalan club's 50th goal in 12
games this season, 10 of them for Spain sensation Yamal.
Two minutes later, PSG was back in front as inspirational midfielder Vitinha
controlled the ball with his chest on the edge of the area and slammed a
powerful shot past Joan Garca into the bottom corner.
Dsir Dou had scored PSG's opening goal with a fine effort late in the first
half, while his corner was headed in by Lucas Hernandez in the 72nd.
Right back Havi Espart ran through unopposed and struck a low shot into the
bottom corner to make it 1-1. -__
See AP's full soccer coverage here
