LIONEL MESSI was subbed off on his home PSG debut and was not best pleased about it.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner looked baffled as fellow Argentine Mauricio Pochettino hauled him off with 15 minutes left.
And he then refused to shake his manager’s hand as he walked off the pitch.
But the former Spurs boss’ changes paid dividends as Mauro Icardi came off the bench to head home a stoppage time winner.
Lyon took the lead just after half time when Brazil international Lucas Paqueta popped up after a brilliant counter-attack.
But Neymar then won and scored a penalty to level for the Parisians before Icardi – and Pochettino – had the final word.
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- PSG XI: Donnarumma, Kehrer, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes, Ander Herrera, Gueye, Di Maria, Neymar, Messi; Mbappe.
- Lyon XI: Lopes; Gusto, Boateng, Denayer, Emerson; Caqueret, Bruno Guimaraes; Shaqiri, Paqueta, Toko Ekambi; Slimani.
THAT’S ALL FOLKS
That’s all from us tonight, thanks for keeping up with our live coverage of PSG vs Lyon in Ligue 1 at the Parc de Princes.
The game finished 2-1 to PSG after a dramatic last minute winner from Mauro Icardi, but fans will all be talking about Messi’s unhappy reaction to being substituted in the second half when the game was still tied.
PSG remain top of the league with a perfect record, but their marquee signing has yet to open his account and continues to endure a frustrating start to life in Paris.
See you next time, good night.
Credit: AFP BLUE WITH ENVY
After being substituted in an underwhelming home debut for PSG, Cristiano Ronaldo’s triumphant, goalscoring return to Manchester United will rub even more salt in Messi’s wounds.
Ronaldo stole Messi’s thunder from his emotional departure from Barcelona as the story of the summer with his homecoming at Man Utd and after scoring three goals in three games, continues to make the headlines.
Unlike his old rival, Messi has not yet hit the ground running at his new club, but will have another opportunity to get off the mark when PSG take on Metz on Wednesday night.
Credit: AFP MAUR-GOALS
Mauro Icardi has had a mixed couple of years at PSG since making the switch from Inter Milan permanent following a season on loan in 2019.
The Argentine forward was limited to 20 league appearances last season and found the net just seven times, playing a supporting role behind first-team regulars Neymar, Mbappe and Di Maria.
And with the arrival of his international teammate Lionel Messi, Icardi would probably expect first team opportunities to be even more limited as he slides further down the pecking order.
But the 28-year-old has already scored two goals in his four league games this season and could be set for a bigger role in the squad than he might have hoped after repaying his manager’s faith.
Credit: EPA
POCH IS AT THE WHEEL
When asked about why he subbed Leo Messi while PSG were chasing a winner, Pochettino said: “I took the decision to take Leo Messi off to protect him for possible injuries.
“We have important games coming up and we want to protect him.”
Had PSG not won at the last minute, the former Spurs and Southampton manager would likely come under a lot of criticism for the controversial decision.
But his changes led to yet another win for PSG in their biggest game of the season so far, and the odds on PSG reclaiming the Ligue 1 title will be getting shorter by the way.
Credit: Reuters FLIRTING WITH THE ENEMY
PSG fans are furious with Kylian Mbappe for his flirtation with Real Madrid over the summer, despite staying at the Parc de Princes in the end.
Fans showed their frustrations tonight by booing Mbappe’s name as the team sheets were read out half an hour before kick-off and then again as the teams were read out when the players emerged from the tunnel.
The 22-year-old Frenchman has supposedly already told friends that he will move to Real Madrid next summer, which has angered PSG fans greatly.
It’s not the first time that fans have booed Mbappe, after the same thing happened in last week’s match against Clermont and in an August clash with Strasbourg.
Credit: AFP LESS THAN IMPRESSED
Messi shockingly SNUBBED Pochettino when his manager offered his hand for a handshake after substituting the six-time Ballon d’Or winner in the 75th minute.
The 49-year-old ex-Spurs gaffer took the risk of taking off Messi for Achraf Hakimi in the search for a winner and his second-half changes proved to be a stroke of genius as Icardi found the net late-on to steal the points.
Messi glowered on from the bench as his teammates chased a winner, after failing to make his mark on his home debut for PSG, despite hitting the woodwork with a sublime free-kick.
Credit: AP SIX OUT OF SIX
The crowd had been on the backs of the PSG team for most of the second half as they struggled to find a breakthrough against the stubborn Lyon defence.
But the Parc de Princes erupted when Mauro Icardi found a winner at the end and the PSG faithful will be delighted with their side’s start to the season, winning all of their opening six games.
After conceding the title to Lille last year having won seven of the previous eight league titles to that, it’s less of an expectation and more of a demand that the Ligue 1 trophy return to Paris this season.
They’ve got themselves off to the best possible start, but will have sterner tests next month as they take on Lille and Marseille in what will be huge indicators of whether this side can go all the way this season.
AUL-ING WITH RAGE
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas was fuming with the referee’s decision to award PSG a penalty for a foul on Neymar.
He told OLTV: “We’re very proud of our players tonight. We managed to make this PSG team very uncomfortable.
“The penalty is an aberration. VAR should have intervened. It’s not a normal decision.”
‘WE HAVE TO MAKE CHOICES’
Mauricio Pochettino says Messi is still in good spirits, despite refusing to shake his hand after being substituted.
He commented: “These are decisions we make for the team.
“Everyone knows that we have very great players, we have to make choices.
“Sometimes it may appeal, other times a little less. After, Messi told me he was fine, quiet.”
PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE
Mauricio Pochettino has been explaining his decision to substitute Lionel Messi.
The former Spurs boss said he wanted to keep the Argentina captain fresh for future matches, despite PSG being tied 1-1 with Lyon when Messi was hooked.
Poch said: “I took the decision to take Leo Messi off to protect him for possible injuries.
“We have important games coming up and we want to protect him.”
PRIDE OF LYON
Lyon CEO Jean-Michel Aulas has spoken to French TV post-match about the team’s performance.
“We’re very proud of our players tonight. We managed to limit this PSG team. The penalty was a freak decision; VAR should have intervened. The decision is not what we expected.”
“The players did not deserve to lose. We will be eager to come back after this. We must capitalize on this game to revive our fortunes. It is a good foundation for the future.”
DIFFICULT DAY AT THE OFFICE
It didn’t quite happen for Messi tonight after he struck the woodwork, had a close range effort saved, didn’t take the penalty and was substituted for Achraf Hakimi.
But he only has to wait until Wednesday for another game to make his mark and it’s surely only a matter of time before he finds the back of the net.
The former Barcelona captain didn’t look happy at being substituted, but Mauricio Pochettino will be keen to rotate his squad and keep legs fresh as the fixtures pile on thick and fast.
REMEMBER THE NEYM
So PSG’s superstar front three is not exactly in perfect harmony.
Kylian Mbappe was booed by the fans before the game for flirting with Real Madrid.
Lionel Messi gave Mauricio Pochettino a death stare as he walked off astonished after being substituted in the 75th minute.
But while all around him were losing their heads, everything was going swimmingly for the third prong of their attack – Neymar.
The Brazilian produced a masterclass to get his team back in the game, winning and scoring the equalising penalty.
It seems a far cry from earlier in the summer when Neymar was the one linked with a move away, to join none other than Lionel Messi at Barcelona.
WHEN A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS…
TOP OF THE POCH
A huge win for PSG that they barely deserved will be overshadowed by Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to substitute Lionel Messi.
Messi looked far from impressed with his fellow Argentine as he refused to shake his hand when he walked off the pitch.
But Pochettino will point to the fact that his substitutions came up trumps as Icardi headed home the late winner.
FT: PSG 2-1 LYON
The Parisians snatched victory from the jaws of defeat after Paqueta gave Lyon the lead in the second half, only for Neymar to equalise from the penalty spot and Icardi to find a winner in the last minute.
Messi enjoyed a tricky home debut against a well organised and disciplined Lyon side, who are unlucky to go away with nothing after a very plucky performance at the Parc de Princes.
Credit: EPA PSG took a while to really get going, but there were glimpses of brilliance after some excellent combination play involving Messi, Mbappe and Di Maria.
Neymar had a difficult first half, but really came to life in the second half, winning the penalty and then converting it, despite Messi still waiting to find the net for his new side.
Credit: AFP He ran young full-back Malo Gusto ragged in the last half an hour, who had otherwise been absolutely superb at the back for Lyon.
Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes also had a good game, denying Messi in the first half after he was played through on goal by Neymar.
Credit: AP The Argentine came closest with a free-kick from 25 yards, however, striking the woodwork with a delicious, curling effort, before being hooked after 75 minutes.
Both managers made changes as the game wore on and young Lyon attacker Rayan Cherki looked extremely bright, but it was ultimately Pochettino’s man Mauro Icardi who made the difference.
Credit: Reuters The Argentine poacher found the net in the 92nd minute after heading an inch-perfect Kylian Mbappe cross back across goal and into the net, sending the PSG ultras into hysterics.
PSG now have six wins out of six and comfortably sit top of Ligue 1 with 18 points, meanwhile Lyon sit in ninth with two wins, two draws and two defeats.
Credit: EPA The away side will have been encouraged by their performance and particularly with the performances of their young players, who took the game to PSG and showed they’re no pushovers.
PSG next take on Metz away on Wednesday, while Lyon face Troyes and will hope that a win can propel them up the table and get them back on track after a tricky start to the season.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPP!!!!!
FULL-TIME: PSG 2-1 LYON
PSG have won it right at the death.
PSG 2-1 LYON
90+3 – Surely too late for Lyon to find an equaliser now and it’ll be another three points for PSG. Six wins in six and it’s the substitute who makes the difference.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!
PSG 2-1 LYON
MAURO ICARDI FINDS THE BACK OF THE NET! HE HEADS IT BACK ACROSS GOAL AFTER A SUBLIME CROSS FROM KYLIAN MBAPPE AND PSG HAVE THE LEAD RIGHT AT THE DEATH.
HEARTBREAK FOR LYON.
PSG 1-1 LYON
90 – Four minutes added on.
Lyon are on the front foot at the minute with Cherki the player causing PSG the most problems.
The 18-year-old local lad has been brave in possession and the PSG defence have had more to deal with since his introduction than in the previous fifteen minutes.
PSG 1-1 LYON
88 – Cherki finds himself with the ball on the edge of the PSG box and has a go, narrowly sending it over.
He’s been bright since he’s come on, combining well with Aouar in midfield, who has kept the ball superbly for the away side.
PSG 1-1 LYON
87 – CLOSE! PSG win a corner and Neymar receives a good reception from the fans as he comes over to take it.
His delivery is good and the ball pings around in the area and after few blocked shots from PSG players, Lyon are able to get it away.
Young Rayan Cherki breaks away to counter for Lyon and is brought down by Mendes, who is booked for the foul.
PSG SUBSTITUTION:
Another good night for Herrera who has ran the midfield superbly for PSG. He’s been all over the pitch and contributed to his side’s best moments in both defence and attack.
OFF: Ander Herrera.
ON: Gini Wijnaldum.
LYON SUBSTITUTION:
That’s the end of Lucas Paqueta’s night, whose goal gave Lyon the lead. The Brazilian has been excellent tonight as the main creative spark for Lyon.
OFF: Lucas Paqueta.
ON: Habib Keita.
PSG 1-1 LYON
84 – Paqueta has gone down in the PSG half but the home side refuse to put the ball out of play.
It’s a bit harsh, but you can understand why. The fans are starting to put pressure on PSG to find a winner and Paqueta looks like he probably just has a tight hamstring.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
