The flashes of Messi, and the conclusion of Mbappé. In a close match, PSG dominated (2-1) Nice, at home, on Saturday October 1 on the occasion of the 9th day of Ligue 1. For his reunion with his former club, Christophe Galtier led his men to a seventh victory in a row in all competitions. A new success which allows the Parisians to regain the lead of the championship on their own, two lengths ahead of their Marseille runner-up.
The players of the capital owe their salvation in part to a Lionel Messi of the big nights. Unstoppable in the first half, the Argentinian opened the scoring (29th) with a superb direct free kick rolled up, on a fault that he himself had caused thanks to a lightning acceleration.
1⃣ Free kick caused by Messi
2⃣ Free kick taken by Messi
3⃣ Free kick scored by Messi60th career direct free kick #PSGOGCN pic.twitter.com/qy6X1dd2nI
– CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) October 1, 2022
Number 30 scored the 60th direct free kick of his career, the first in a Parisian jersey. Present on all the clear chances of Paris, Messi could have doubled the bet in the 45th if the Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel had not repelled his strike. A performance reminiscent of his finest hours with Barça, especially since the Argentinian was returning from the United States where he played for his national team.
If we imagined Paris taking off in the second half, Lucien Favre’s men came back with much better intentions, the same ones that had guided them at the start of the game. On a cross from Youcef Atal, Gaëtan Laborde played on the markings of Marquinhos and Nordi Mukiele, before pushing the ball into the back of the net. The Niçois scored his first goal in his new colors.
Less dominating, the Parisians were once again able to count on Messi to blast the Nice defense, as on this superb pass for Nuno Mendes who stumbled on the Nice goalkeeper (70th). Established for the first time, the young Hugo Ekitike had a lot of trouble existing alongside Messi and Neymar: without having shot in front of goal, or touching a single ball in the penalty area, he gave up his place to Kylian Mbappé in the 58th minute. A life-saving change since the tricolor international offered victory to his teammates (83rd), well served by Mukiele.
I 2-1 pic.twitter.com/030KGwuEsA
— Paris Saint Germain (@PSG_inside) October 1, 2022
PSG has once again proven its ability to regain control in key moments. The capital club signs its 12th match without defeat in all competitions, a first for five years.