Messi Returns, Ramos Scores And PSG Cruise
Zeeshan Mehtab Published January 24, 2022 | 09:10 AM
Metz, France, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jan, 2022 ) :Lionel Messi returned, another marquee signing Sergio Ramos scored as Paris Saint-Germain cruised to a 4-0 victory over Reims on Sunday to restore their Ligue 1 lead to 11 points.
Earlier, Nice briefly cut the gap with a 2-0 win at Metz. But three of the teams just behind them lost.
Messi, returning from Covid, started on the bench while Kylian Mbappe returned to the starting lineup after a groin strain while Ramos made only his second league start of the season.
Goalkeeper Keylor Navas also returned, rushed back into the lineup after a bout of Covid due to an injury to Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Marco Verratti put PSG ahead in the final minute of a sluggish first half, drilling home his first Ligue 1 goal since May 2017.
PSG upped the tempo after the break.
Ramos, who arrived from Real in the summer, scored his first goal for the club. The central defender reacted quickest to a loose ball from a PSG corner. After his first shot was parried by Predrag Rajkovic, the Spaniard reacted fastest again to slam home the rebound.
That goal brought Ramos level with Messi on one league goal this season, it also acted as the cue for Messi to come on.
In the 67th minute, Messi set up Verratti for a shot that deflected off two defenders and into the top corner.
Danilo Pereira added a fourth as PSG matched their biggest league win of the season.
Earlier, Khephren Thuram's goal set up a precious 2-0 away win for Nice as they saw off strugglers Metz to move back up to second place.
Khephren, the 20-year-old son of World Cup winner Lilian, opened the scoring in the 58th minute while a late spot-kick from Amine Gouiri completed the victory with a cheeky Panenka.
The three points lift Nice, owned by British chemicals magnate Jim Ratcliffe, above their bitter south coast rivals Marseille, who are two points behind in third with a game in hand.
Nice are coached by Christophe Galtier who joined the club on a high after leading Lille to the French league title last season.
"We are still too far behind (PSG) to think about top spot. I'm more concerned by what's coming up behind us," Galtier said after the game.
"It's about racking up the points and that can be tough when the opponent is fighting relegation. So this was just perfect." Strasbourg lost 4-3 at Bordeaux where Hwang Ui-Jo hit a hat-trick to lift the home team out of the bottom three.
Bordeaux, who had not scored in three league and cup games this year while conceding 10, hit three in the first 38 minutes but were made to sweat for their victory as their defence then leaked three goals.
"Hwang had a perfect game, he bailed us out on several occasions. He's had some difficulties in the last few games, so I'm very happy that he's back," said Bordeaux's under-threat coach Vladimir Petkovic.
"I am sorry that we let in three goals," said Petkovic. "We had a very good first half but then the fear of winning the game took over." Rennes took an 18th-minute lead at another struggler Clermont with a goal by Baptiste Santamaria, but missed several other chances and paid in the second half.
Former Rennes player Lucas Da Cunha levelled in the 59th minute and Jordan Tell struck in the 70th minute.
Montpellier beat Monaco 3-2 to climb sixth.
Elye Wahi gave the home team a 13th-minute lead and Stephy Mavididi scored twice, the winner coming in stoppage time.
Wissam Ben Yedder and Vanderson scored for Monaco, who drop to seventh.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From Sports
-
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
2 hours ago -
National Hockey camp to be organized for Azlan Shah tournament
3 hours ago -
Islamabad Tennis Club demolished by CDA amid anti-encroachment action at public park: Tarar
5 hours ago -
Shayan, Rashid, Junaid to represent Pakistan in U12 Regional Qualifying Jrs
5 hours ago -
Olympic Games Paris 2024: How teams qualified
6 hours ago -
ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy unveiled in Islamabad
5 hours ago
-
Pakistan to tour New Zealand for 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is next March
5 hours ago -
Xavi and Barca remain tied in marriage of convenience
5 hours ago -
Pakistan Master Tenpin Bowling C'ship postponed
5 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
5 hours ago -
1st-ever National Sports Revival conference starts next month
7 hours ago -
Usain Bolt named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
7 hours ago