Barca suffer first defeat of season as PSG move to top of Group F in CL

French side Paris Saint-Germain moved to the top of Group F as they beat Barcelona 3-2 in a thrilling Champions League encounter.

Barcelona suffered their first defeat of the season at Parc des Princes. The visitors fell behind when former Chelsea defender David Luiz scored for the home side.

Argentina skipper Lionel Messi grabbed an equaliser within a minute of Luiz's goal but defender Marco Verratti nodded in PSG's second before halftime, The BBC reported.

Defender Blaise Matuidi poked in a third in the 54th minute and although Neymar reduced the deficit two minutes later, Barca could not find an equaliser. They pressed in the closing stages but found the PSG defence, led by the impressive Luiz, hard to break down.

Barcelona substitute Xavi Hernandez made Champions League history by coming on for his 143rd appearance in the competition, more than any other player.

Victory for the PSG, meanwhile, continued their unbeaten start to the season and means they are now top of their group with four points, one more than Barcelona.

In the group's other game, Apoel Nicosia shared a 1-1 draw with Dutch champions Ajax in Cyprus. Lucas Anderson put Ajax ahead when he swept in after Lasse Schone's shot was saved, but four minutes later Ricardo van Rhijn handled inside the area and Gustavo Manduca netted the resultant penalty for Apoel, the report added.