In the Zone: How shooting stars lit up Parc des Princes

At Parc des Princes, Barcelona's Joan García made the most saves (ten) of any goalkeeper in UEFA Champions League action on Tuesday yet, in the face of Paris Saint-Germain's finishing power, there is usually only so much you can do.

That proved the case again as Luis Enrique's defending European champions ended Barcelona’s 11-game winning start to 2026/27 with another exhibition of their attacking excellence though, as this analysis – brought to you by FedEx – will show, they were not alone in producing wow moments.

"We did some amazing things," said Player of the Match Désiré Doué. "We were very efficient."

We have focused on Paris' efficient finishing before – remember how they beat Chelsea 5-2 with an xG of 0.90? – and their exceptional precision was underlined again by two goals from strikes from outside the box, the first by Doué himself in the 38th minute.

Amid a late rush of goals, Vitinha added another from outside the area to restore the hosts' lead at 3-2 – a reminder of the shooting prowess that brought him a Champions League hat-trick last November.

Praising two "incredible finishes", UEFA Technical Observer Erik ten Hag noted that both were struck low and into the corner – and that both travelled through a cluster of legs, making it all the harder for García.

On a night when Barcelona fielded four 19-year-olds, they scored twice through their teenagers: first through Xavi Espart, then through Lamine Yamal with his sixth goal contribution already of this league phase.

Ten Hag lauded the brilliance of Yamal's finish, saying: "I don't think there are many players in the world who can do this. Maybe he's the only one.

"What I say to my strikers is: 'When you get in this position, so near the goal, shoot high.' Before [Paris goalkeeper Matvei Safonov] has his hands up, the ball's already in the net. It's too quick and he can't react."

Dutch coach Erik ten Hag inspired Go Ahead Eagles to promotion in his first managerial job, but really made his name at Ajax, winning three Eredivisie titles and guiding them to the Champions League semi-finals in 2018/19. He later won further silverware at Manchester United, lifting the FA Cup and League Cup.