Ligue 1
Mbappe And Neymar Help PSG Defeat Lille
A superb goal from Kylian Mbappe and a deflected strike from Neymar helped PSG defeat Lille and make it 12 wins out of 12 in Ligue 1.
PSG had struggled to break down Lille with the final pass missing. That was until Mbappe curled a superb strike from just outside the box, midway through the second half.
Neymar added a second with seven minutes remaining. Even though Lille earned a late consolation goal from the penalty spot, they were second best throughout.
The victory for PSG means they have broken the European record for most consecutive wins to start a season in Europe’s top five leagues.
Lille struggled to create any chances throughout the game. Their best came after just eight minutes.
A shot from Xeka from 25-yards out was hit straight at Gianluigi Buffon in the PSG goal.
PSG almost took the lead after 21 minutes. Neymar played a great through pass to Angel Di Maria who was in on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat.
However, the Argentine’s shot was hit straight at Mike Maignan in the Lille goal.
From the resulting corner, Brazilian defender Marquinhos headed over the bar when he really should have scored.
PSG Finally Get The Breakthrough
PSG kept pressing for the opening goal in the second half and eventually it came after 69 minutes.
Neymar played a through ball which was deflected off Jose Fonte and into the path of Mbappe.
The Frenchman then brilliantly curled the ball beyond Maignan and into the top corner for a superb goal.
With seven minutes remaining Neymar made it two. A clever one two between Neymar and Mbappe, saw the Brazilian drive forward.
Neymar hit a shot from just outside the box which took a slight deflection off Adama Soumaoro and found the bottom corner of the net.
Lille grabbed a late consolation goal from the penalty spot. PSG defender Thilo Keherer misjudged the flight of a cross into the box and handled the ball inside the penalty area.
Up stepped Nicolas Pepe who smashed the ball into the top corner past Buffon.
In truth PSG dominated the game throughout and should have won by more.
Mbappe Back With A Bang
Kylian Mbappe was back in the starting line-up after being dropped to the bench last week against Marseille for being late to a team meeting.
The young Frenchman came back with a bang scoring a wonderful opening goal.
It came at the perfect moment in the game, as PSG were starting to run out of ideas as to how to break down Lille’s defense.
However, when you have players of the caliber of Mbappe, they can conjure a piece of magic out of nothing.
Mbappe brilliantly curled the ball from just outside the box into the top corner of the net. He arced the ball so far outside the goal and curled it back in that Maignan in the Lille goal had no chance.
The partnership between himself and Neymar is continuing to blossom and both seemed to be playing a different game to the rest.
It’s hard to believe Mbappe is only 19-years-old and he still has a lot to learn both on and off the pitch.
But if he keeps his feet on the ground and learns his lesson from last week, he will become the World’s best player for years to come.
Lille Outclassed
Lille have had a great start to the season, lying in 2nd place in Ligue 1.
Even though they are only one place behind PSG in the table, they were miles behind PSG in terms of quality.
They struggled to keep the ball and string passes together. It also seemed that they lacked belief that they could go and beat PSG.
At times they were a threat on the break but lacked that final pass to create a chance.
They do have some talented players. Jonathan Bamba, Jonathan Ikone and Nicolas Pepe will be a threat for the rest of the season.
Considering last season Lille almost got relegated, the turnaround from manager Christophe Gaultier has been incredible.
Lille fans will be delighted with where they are after last season’s tumultuous campaign.
They will be aiming for a Champions League spot this season, which with the players they have, could be in their grasp.
Next up for Lille is a home game against Strasbourg in Ligue 1 next Friday.
For PSG they travel to Naples to take on Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Photo credit PSG via Twitter
