Messi scores his first league goal for PSG

PARIS (AP):

LIONEL MESSI scored his first goal in the French league and Kylian Mbappe grabbed the fastest goal of his career as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) beat Nantes 3-1 yesterday.

Messi sealed PSG’s win in the 87th minute from Mbappe’s pass at the end of a counter-attack. After receiving the ball, the Argentina star quickly advanced near the edge of the box, dribbled past a defender and curled one of his signature left-footed shots past Nantes goalkeeper Alban Lafont.

Messi, who joined from Barcelona this summer, had already scored three Champions League goals for his new team, but had failed to find the net in five previous Ligue One appearances.

The win extended PSG’s lead over second-place Lens to 13 points as the nine-time champions maintained their unbeaten record at home this season. Lens will be in action today at Brest.

Ahead of a trip to Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday, PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino started with the trio of attacking stars, Mbappe, Messi and Neymar.

PSG got the perfect start as the home side needed less than two minutes to take the lead, with Mbappe scoring his seventh goal of the season.

The home side made the most of a poor clearance from Nantes defenders as Leandro Paredes unleashed a 25-metre half-volley that Mbappe deflected past Lafont. According to Opta’s statistics, it was PSG’s fastest league goal since May 2017, and Mbappe’s fastest goal in his professional career.

PSG dominated proceedings, monopolised possession and came close to doubling their lead in the 18th minute, but Lafont’s firm hand denied Messi’s effort from Neymar’s cross.

The Nantes goalkeeper was decisive a few minutes later to block a low shot from Mbappe, then stopped a fine effort from Neymar near the half-hour mark. Another superb save from the 22-year-old keeper frustrated Messi in the 38th after he played a one-two with Marco Verratti and breached the Nantes defence, only to see his left-footed shot parried away.

MORE BALANCED SECOND HALF

The match was more balanced after the interval as Nantes played more aggressively. PSG were reduced to 10 men in the 65th after goalkeeper Keylor Navas received a red card for a clumsy foul outside the penalty box on Ludovic Blas, who was running alone towards the goal.

Nantes pushed hard for an equaliser and were finally rewarded for their effort when Randal Kolo Muani beat the offside trap to level the scoring in the 76th. The forward first saw his header denied by Navas’ replacement, Sergio Rico, but followed up his effort with a clever back-heel touch that crossed the goalline.

Nantes were unlucky when Dennis Appiah lobbed his own goal as he tried to intercept a low pass from Messi, instead deflecting the ball into the back of the net, before Messi opened his French league account.