Author – Amrit Santlani
Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi helped Paris Saint-Germain beat relegation-threatened Angers 2-1 at the Stade Raymond Kopa on Friday. Mbappé scored twice, while Messi was the architect of both goals, and PSG further consolidated their lead at the top of the Ligue 1 standings.
Just five minutes into the game, Batista Mendy cut through the PSG defense with a brilliant pass to Ibrahima Niane, whose shot was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Angers failed to take their chance and were punished when Lionel Messi found the run of Juan Bernat with a beautiful pass, who assisted Kylian Mbappé, who found the back of the net to open the scoring.
Messi and Mbappé combined minutes later, the Frenchman sending a cheeky heel pass to the Argentinian, whose shot on goal was blocked by a save from the Angers goalkeeper. PSG would double their lead in just 25 minutes, when the home side were caught by surprise in defense.
The Parisians counter-attacked with breathtaking pace, Messi finding Mbappé with a pass that opened up the defense and the latter did the rest, rounding the goalkeeper and finishing into the empty net for another goal.
Shortly before the end of regulation time, the home side scored their consolation goal, Sada Thioub shooting from close range to put Angers ahead.