PSG beat Barcelona 4-2 to go top, but lose three stars to injury

Paris Saint-Germain claimed a big win in the Champions League, beating FC Barcelona 4-2 to move to the top of the competition's league table.

The French champions cannot fully enjoy the victory, however. Three of their key players were forced off with injuries during the match — Ousmane Dembele, Marquinhos and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Losing three first-team players to injury in a single match is a major blow for any side. Dembele is the heartbeat of the attack, Marquinhos leads the defence, and Kvaratskhelia adds sharpness from the wing — the absence of all three could affect the team's balance.

The 4-2 win over Barcelona is proof of PSG's attacking strength. Scoring four goals against such opponents in Europe's top competition is no easy task, and the win has lifted the Paris side above everyone else in the table.

For Barcelona, the defeat is a disappointment. Despite scoring twice, the Catalan club suffered defensively and ultimately left the field without any points.

After the match, Barcelona were also reported to have raised a serious complaint against PSG, taking the discussion around this contest beyond the pitch. The rivalry between the two clubs is therefore no longer limited to the result alone.

In the Champions League's current format, every point in the league phase matters, because the teams finishing near the top earn the advantage of going straight into the knockout rounds. In that sense, this win over Barcelona is doubly valuable for PSG.

PSG's biggest concern now is the condition of their three injured players. How long they remain sidelined will determine the team's plans for the matches ahead.

Barcelona, meanwhile, face the challenge of bouncing back. Matches remain in the league phase, and to stay in the top eight they can afford few mistakes in the games to come.

Overall, the night belonged to PSG in terms of the result, but the injury list has cast a shadow over their celebrations. Medical reports in the coming days will show how much this victory ends up costing the team.