Lionel Messi on the scoresheet as PSG see off Montpellier to extend Ligue 1 lead | OneFootball

It was an evening of mixed fortunes for Paris Saint-Germain, as the Ligue 1 leaders claimed their first away victory in Ligue 1 in 2023 in a match that had started in nightmarish fashion for Kylian Mbappé.

The French forward saw a tenth-minute penalty attempt tipped onto the post by Benjamin Lecomte, before a retake saw him miss the spot-kick entirely. He was then forced off with what appeared to be a thigh injury just twenty minutes into the game, Sergio Ramos also leaving the field shortly afterwards in what could be a double blow for the Parisians before their Champions League tie against Bayern Munich.

With Neymar absent as well, the responsibility fell to Lionel Messi to step up, and the Argentine delivered. Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring from close range after the visitors saw two goals chalked off for offside, before Messi was found by the Spaniard in the box and made no mistake in front of Lecomte.

Aften Nordin had halved the deficit late on, Achraf Hakimi – who was excellent on the evening – found the 16-year-old Warren Zaïre-Emery down the right, and the midfield prospect finished emphatically to become the club’s youngest ever goalscorer. Despite their fears over Mbappé, Galtier’s men now take a reassuring five-point lead in the table after Lens’ defeat to Nice.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin