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Paris Saint-Germain saw off a second-half fightback from Juventus to win their opening Champions League game 2-1 thanks to Kylian Mbappe’s double.
Juve were no match for their hosts at the Parc des Princes in the first half, with Mbappe volleying home twice inside the first 22 minutes.
A defensive lapse from Christophe Galtier’s side allowed Weston McKennie to drag Juve back into the contest eight minutes into the second half, however.
Dusan Vlahovic and Manuel Locatelli both went close to restoring parity, yet PSG had enough to see out a first competitive win over Juve.
Mbappe had denied there were any issues between himself and Neymar in the pre-match press conference, and the duo proved they were in sync in the fifth minute as the France striker volleyed in from his team-mate’s exquisite chipped pass.
Gianluigi Donnarumma made a fine save from Arkadiusz Milik at the other end, but PSG were in full flow up front, and it was 2-0 when Mbappe volleyed in again – this time from Achraf Hakimi’s cutback.
Neymar might have turned from provider to scorer had his finish been better in the 49th minute, but Mattia Perin was equal to the forward’s tame effort.
Mbappe should have provided Neymar with a tap-in two minutes later, only to shoot selfishly from a tight angle, and PSG were made to pay.
It had seemed a matter of damage limitation for Juve, yet PSG switched off from a corner, enabling McKennie to head in at the back post.
With Donnarumma brilliantly keeping out Vlahovic’s header, sensational combination play from Neymar and Lionel Messi resulted in a great chance for Mbappe to restore PSG’s two-goal cushion, but he lashed wide.
Mbappe’s profligacy could have proved costly again as Locatelli saw a goal-bound toe-poke blocked, but PSG held on to get the job done.
Mbappé’s goals ensured he was now the youngest player to score 35 goals in Champions League history at 23 years and 260 days.
Paris Saint-Germain saw off a second-half fightback from Juventus to win their opening Champions League game 2-1 thanks to Kylian Mbappe’s double.
Juve were no match for their hosts at the Parc des Princes in the first half, with Mbappe volleying home twice inside the first 22 minutes.
A defensive lapse from Christophe Galtier’s side allowed Weston McKennie to drag Juve back into the contest eight minutes into the second half, however.
Dusan Vlahovic and Manuel Locatelli both went close to restoring parity, yet PSG had enough to see out a first competitive win over Juve.
Mbappe had denied there were any issues between himself and Neymar in the pre-match press conference, and the duo proved they were in sync in the fifth minute as the France striker volleyed in from his team-mate’s exquisite chipped pass.
Gianluigi Donnarumma made a fine save from Arkadiusz Milik at the other end, but PSG were in full flow up front, and it was 2-0 when Mbappe volleyed in again – this time from Achraf Hakimi’s cutback.
Neymar might have turned from provider to scorer had his finish been better in the 49th minute, but Mattia Perin was equal to the forward’s tame effort.
Mbappe should have provided Neymar with a tap-in two minutes later, only to shoot selfishly from a tight angle, and PSG were made to pay.
It had seemed a matter of damage limitation for Juve, yet PSG switched off from a corner, enabling McKennie to head in at the back post.
With Donnarumma brilliantly keeping out Vlahovic’s header, sensational combination play from Neymar and Lionel Messi resulted in a great chance for Mbappe to restore PSG’s two-goal cushion, but he lashed wide.
Mbappe’s profligacy could have proved costly again as Locatelli saw a goal-bound toe-poke blocked, but PSG held on to get the job done.
Mbappé’s goals ensured he was now the youngest player to score 35 goals in Champions League history at 23 years and 260 days.
