Berlin, 9 April 2026 (dpa/MIA) - Title holders Paris Saint-Germain beat Liverpool 2-0 in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday while 10-man Barcelona were beaten 2-0 at home in their latest meeting with Atletico Madrid.

Désiré Doué in the 11th and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the 65th were on target for PSG in the first leg match at the Parc des Princes.

Liverpool had no shot on target four days after a heavy 4-0 FA Cup defeat at Manchester City and were lucky that PSG had a penalty call nullified upon review and Ousmane Dembélé hit the outside post.

"Obviously, I'm not happy losing it whatsoever. The only positive thing is that we have another game to play next week," Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk told TNT Sport.

Man of the Match Kvaratskhelia told Canal+: “We had the chances to score more and we should have. We produced a good performance. We have to remain concentrated – the atmosphere at Anfield will be incredible. We’re ready.”

Atletico meanwhile claimed their first victory at Barcelona's Nou Camp since 2006.

Julian Alvarez converted a free-kick in the 45th awarded for a last-man foul by Pau Cubarsi for which the Barcelona defender was sent off. Barca tried to fight back but Atletico found the net again in the 70th from Alexander Sørloth.

It was the fourth match in 2026 between the two, with Atletico winning their Copa del Rey tie 4-3 on aggregate while Barcelona won their league match in Madrid 2-1 on Saturday.

"We lost 2-0 but we had very good opportunities. They played very well but we're not going to give up," Barca coach Hansi Flick told Movistar Plus.

On Tuesday, Bayern Munich won 2-1 at record winners Real Madrid and Arsenal prevailed 1-0 in Lisbon at Sporting.

The four return legs are next week.

PSG hand Liverpool latest setback

Mohamed Salah started on the bench in Paris as Liverpool coach Arne Slot opted for a five-man defence after the Mac City defeat against PSG who eliminated them in the last 16 in the past season.

But PSG were ahead with their first chance in the 11th minute from Désiré Doué's effort deflected off Ryan Gravenberch and looped over goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili into the far right corner.

Liverpool regrouped but failed to seriously threaten while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia forced fellow-Georgian Mamardashvili to a full-strech save before the goalkeeper also prevailed one on one against Doué.

Liverpool's first chance did not come until the 40th minute when Jeremie Frimpong aimed wide from a tight right angle off Florian Wirtz's chipped pass but the offside flag had gone up.

Ousmane Dembélé incredibly fired over shortly after the restart but it was finally 2-0 in the 64th when Kvaratskhelia took up a pass from João Neves, ran past Mamardashvili and slotted home.

Liverpool were lucky when a few minutes later when PSG were awarded a penalty over Ibrahima Konaté's challenge against Warren Zaïre-Emery but referee José María Sánchez nullified his decision after a look at the pitch-side monitor.

PSG had more chances, with Dembélé hitting the outside right post and sloppy passing denying PSG in a three on one situation as they could have put themselves in an even better position for Tuesday's trip to Anfield.

"We shouldn't forget that we played against the champions of last season, and you see the quality they have," Van Dijk said. "So we have to be absolutely spot on with everything we do."

Barca dominate but Atletico score the goals

Barcalona pressed from the kick-off with the lively Marcus Rashford coming close on several occasions and having an 18th minute goal disallowed because Lamine Yamal was offside before crossing to the Englishman.

Atletico also threatened in the early stages, including a dangerous effort from Ademola Lookman firing wide, but from then on it was all Barca before it unravelled for them shortly before the break.

Giuliano Simeone was clipped by Barca defender Pau Cubarsi who was sent off upon review for a last-man foul, and Julio Alvarez converted the ensuing free-kick into the top right corner to put Atletico 1-0 up.

Barca tried to fight back with 10 men after the break as Rashford hit the side-netting and had a free-kick pushed against the crossbar by goalkeeper Juan Musso.

But their fare was sealed in the 70th when Sørloth volleyed home a cross from the left by Matteo Ruggeri.

Simeone however warned that "against Barcelona, ​​few results are decisive" and playmaker Antoine Griezmann added: "We're happy with the victory, but there's still a lot left to do. The semi-final is still a long way off!"

Photo: EPA