PSG 3-1 Lens highlights, Ligue 1: Messi, Mbappe, Vitinha on target as Paris Saint-Germain goes nine points clear at the top

PSG goes nine points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table after a 3-1 win against 10-man Lens.

Block- Zaire-Emery finds Messi in the clear as the Argentinian makes his way inside the box. Messi finally takes the shot but it is blocked.

A ball is chipped inside the PSG and Openda goes for a bicycle-kick from close range. However, he does not catch his effort well as the ball blazes over the crossbar.

Three minutes added at the end of the first-half.

PSG launches a counter-attack, led by Vitinha and Mbappe. However, the move breaks down after Vitinha’s final ball to Mbappe is intercepted by Medina.

PSG sub: In- Zaire-Emery OUT- Marquinhos

PSG has a freekick and Messi is standing over it. He will most probably go for a ball inside the box as it is a tad bit far for a direct shot.

That freekick was right out of the training ground. Messi catches everyone by surprise by passing the ball to Mbappe inside the box. Mbappe does not waste time and goes for the shot but sees his effort blocked.

Lens sub: IN- Costa OUT- Gradit

PSG has enough space to launch an attack from its own half. Messi spreads the ball to Bernat on the left. Bernat delays his pass to Mbappe and when he does, it is cut out.

10 minutes and stoppage time left in this game. If Lens can somehow manage to score one more right now, it is going to be exciting finish.

Openda troubles the PSG backline again but this time, Marquinhos shows his experience by forcing Openda to run the ball out of play.

PSG sub: IN- Bernat OUT- Mendes

Frankowski goes for goal from a long way out but cannot find the net. We have seen him scoring spectaculars- last season’s goal against Marseille at the Velodrome.

Lens sub: IN- Haidara OUT- Machado

Fabian Ruiz tries to redeem himself by going for the spectacular from distance. But, he does not catch his shot well and the ball rolls to Lens keeper Samba.

Openda threatens the PSG defence yet again. He shoots again from the same position and this time, Marquinhos gets a touch to send the ball out for a corner.

Openda is becoming a menace for the PSG defence, constantly threatening from the flanks. This time he gets the ball and makes way towards the PSg goal. He does well to get his shot away despite being under pressure. Donnarumma makes the save.

PSG on the attack again as the home team crowds Lens’ penalty area. Vitinha sends the ball to Messi, who tries to make some space for himself and shoot. However, the Argentinian’s effort is blocked.

GOOOOALL!! FRANKOWSKI CONVERTS FROM THE SPOT!! It is a confident shot by the Pole as he sent Donnarumma the wrong way.

PENALTY- Lens have a way back into the match after being awarded a penalty-kick. Fabian Ruiz is the culprit as replay shows that they headed the ball onto his own hand in a bid to clear the ball.

Mendes gets past a couple of Lens players with his dancing feet as he makes a run hugging the left touchline. But to his dismay, the referee blows his whistle for a Lens throw.

Openda has a chance to pull one back as he goes for a first-time shot at goal but it is an easy collect for Donnarumma.

Mbappe crosses the ball from the left flank but overhits it as the ball goes out for a throw. It is damage control for the 10-man Lens right now as PSG looks the much better team.

Lens HT subs: IN- Onana, Sotoca OUT- Fulgini, Thomasson

PSG starts the second-half with a 3-0 lead against Lens. Messi, Vitinha and Mbappe- the scorers in the first-half.

Goals from Mbappe, Nuno Mendes and Messi keeps PSG in a 3-0 lead against Lens at half-time.

One minute added at the end of the first-half!!

PSG with a chance to score its fourth. Mbappe makes a darting run with acres of green ahead of him. He spots Messi and finds him a good pass. Messi has enough time and space to shoot but took a touch too many as he was closed down.

IT IS THREE FOR PSG!! MESSI JOINS THE PARTY!! It is an exquisite team goal from PSG. Messi and Mbappe link up to tear through the Lens defence. Messi rolls the ball to Mbappe. Mbappe returned the favour with a wonderful backheel pass which split the defence apart. Messi still had a lot to do but his shot from a tight angle rattles the net.

PSG SCORES A QUICK SECOND TO DOUBLE LEAD!! VITINHA WITH A LOVELY FINISH!! It all comes from a corner as Vitinha gets the ball. He carries the ball and lashes a shot from distance to find the bottom-right corner.

Close- Lens with another threatening attack. Openda squares the ball to Frankowski at the far-post. The latter’s first-time effort takes a touch and misses the target, but not by much.

GOOOALLLLL!! PSG SCORES!! MBAPPE FINDS THE NET!! It all started as Messi stabbed a forward pass to Mbappe. Mbappe gives the ball to Vitinha with a one-touch pass and the latter reciprocated the favour by setting up Mbappe with the finest of touches. Mbappe takes a first-time shot as the ball hits the post and creeps inside the net. He breaks his three-game goal drought.

Openda gets the ball and has a free run at goal. He is eventually closed down and seeing no support, goes for a shot at the near-post. Donnarumma makes the save and Marquinhos clears the ball.

However, it would have counted as the assistant referee raises his flag for offside.

Nuno Mendes goes on a mesmeric run after collecting the ball on the left. He cuts in before using to pace and skill to skip past Lens players, before going for a low shot at goal. However, he cannot find the target in the end. That would have been a ‘Goal of the Season’ contender.

That red card has undone all the good work Lens had done till now in the first-half. It has been the better team and has threatened the opposition goal more than PSG. With the red card, it remains to be seen how the away team copes with the situation.

Good news for PSG and its fans as Hakimi is okay to continue after receving medical attention. He is not even limping which is a good sign.

RED CARD- Abdul Samed sees a straight red card for his challenge on Hakimi. It was a ugly challenge and deserved a red in all honesty. Hakimi is down on the ground and is receiving medical attention.

Marquinhos loses the ball inside his penalty area but thankfully it does not come back to haunt him as PSG deals with the Lens pressure and clears the ball.

Lens with another chance as PSG had to deal with a dangerous ball swung inside the box from a freekick. Danilo does well to clear the ball out for a corner amidst pressure.

Machado uses his acceleration to get past Hakimi. He then, swings a cross inside the box, but Ramos is there to clear the ball with a solid header.

Mbappe shows his raw pace as gets the ball past his man and makes a run down the left flank. He then finds Messi with a wonderful cut-back. Messi goes for a first-time shot but it is blocked.

PSG clears the ball from a Lens corner, but the ball falls to Openda at the edge of the penalty area. Openda goes for a shot but it is blocked.

Mbappe finds Hakimi but the Moroccan cannot keep the ball in control as Lens keeper Samba collects the ball.

It has been a good start from Lens. Not only has it been threatening in attack, but has kept a compact defence as well.

PSG builds a patient attack but it falls apart after Soler’s attempted backheel to Messi is intercepted.

PSG has its first sniff of developing a proper attack as Mbappe made a bursting run in the middle of the park. But, he is brought down and earns a freekick for PSG.

It has been all Lens inside the opening 5 minutes. Thomasson wins another corner for the away team.

The corner is swung towards Medina but the PSG defence clears the ball efficiently.

Save: Lens almost takes a lead inside the first three minutes as Donnarumma had to deal with a thunderous header from close range. But the PSG keeper stands strong and palms the ball away.

Good pressure from Lens right from the start as the away team has won a corner in the early minutes of the first-half.

The Ligue 1 clash between PSG and Lens kick-off at the Parc des Princes stadium. It is Ligue 1’s best attack vs Ligue 1’s best defence.

• PSG is on a three-match winless streak against Lens in Ligue 1 (D2 L1). It is the only team PSG has not won against since the start of last season.
• Lens has scored 99 goals against PSG in 72 Ligue 1 encounters. PSG could become the 13th side against whom, the Sang et Or have scored 100 goals in the top-flight.
• PSG has only drawn three games this season in Ligue 1 (against Monaco once and against Reims twice- 22 wins and five losses), the joint-lowest tally this season along with Ajaccio. PSG has not drawn in the top flight since January 29 against Reims (1-1).
• Lens has 63 points after 30 Ligue 1 games this season- its best-ever tally to date. The side has won its last four Ligue 1 games, the best current run in the top-flight.

PSG: Donnarumma(GK), Hakimi, Ramos, Marquinhos(c), Danilo, Nuno Mendes, Fabian, Vitinha, Soler, Messi, Mbappe

RC Lens: Samba(GK); Machado, Danso, Fofana(c), Openda, Medina, Fulgini, Gradit, Abdul Samed, Thomasson, Frankowski

PSG has a slight advantage over Lens- It has won 11 out of the last 29 matches that have been played between the two teams, as opposed to Lens’ nine victories during this period.

Paris Saint-Germain will play Lens in a Ligue 1 top of the table clash at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.

PSG, which is top of the Ligue 1 standings, haven’t enjoyed the best of forms this season. However, it will come into this match on the back of a 2-0 win against Nice, that saw the club extend its lead at the top of the table.

The fact that Lens finds itself in second, is a testament to the fact that the club has continued to punch above its weight throughout the season. In its last match, Lens clinched a 2-1 win against Strasbourg.

Predicted XI

PSG: Donnarumma(GK); Pereira, Marquinhos, Ramos; Hakimi, Ruiz, Soler, Vitinha, Mendes; Messi, Mbappe

Lens: Samba(GK); Medina, Danso, Gradit; Sotoca, Abdul Samed, Fofana, Frankowski; Thomasson, Fulgini; Openda

LIVE STREAMING INFO

When and where will PSG vs Lens Ligue 1 match kick-off?

The PSG vs Lens Ligue 1 match will kick-off at 12:30 AM, Sunday, April 16, 2023 at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

Where can you watch the PSG vs Lens Ligue 1 match?

The PSG vs Lens Ligue 1 match will be live telecasted on the Sports18.

Where can you live stream the PSG vs Lens Ligue 1 match?

You can live stream the PSG vs Lens Ligue 1 match on the Jio Cinema and Voot website and apps.