Messi watches on as PSG beats Strasbourg 4-2 in Ligue 1

The win sent PSG top of the table with two wins from two, while last season's champions Lille was surprisingly thrashed 4-0 at home by Nice earlier on Saturday.

Published : Aug 15, 2021 08:34 IST

PSG players celebrate after scoring a goal against Strasbourg on Saturday.

Lionel Messi watched on from the stands as Paris St Germain made hard work of beating Strasbourg 4-2 in Ligue 1 on Saturday to continue its winning start to the new season.

Not yet fully fit, Messi, along with Neymar and fellow new recruits Gianluigi Donnarumma and Sergio Ramos, did not make the match squad but saw his new club take an early lead through Mauro Icardi at Parc des Princes.

Kylian Mbappe then doubled PSG's advantage in the 25th minute after his shot was deflected home, before the France international's cross was turned in by Julian Draxler two minutes later to put the host 3-0 up.

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However, second-half goals from Kevin Gameiro and Ludovic Ajorque got the visitor back into the contest, with PSG looking uneasy in possession.

Alexander Djiku's dismissal for two bookable offences let PSG off the hook nine minutes from time, with substitute Pablo Sarabia tapping home at the back post in the 86th minute to make sure of the unconvincing victory for Mauricio Pochettino's side.

The win sent PSG top of the table with two wins from two, while last season's champion Lille was surprisingly thrashed 4-0 at home by Nice earlier on Saturday.

Achraf Hakimi, Georginio Wijnaldum, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain pose on Saturday.
 

Messi  and other recruits unveiled ahead of match

Paris St Germain presented Lionel Messi and other new recruits to fans inside the Parc des Princes stadium ahead of the clash on Saturday.

"It has been a very special week for me," Messi said. "I want to thank everyone for the reception since I arrived in Paris. It has been truly incredible. I feel very happy and excited.

"I hope together we can enjoy this year and make it a great year for us. I am very excited about everything," he said.