PSG have picked up a second 4-2 win in two games despite Lionel Messi once again not being involved as they triumphed at Brest.Ander Herrera volleyed home after a goalkeeping error before a cushioned header from Kylian Mbappe added a second.
The hosts then got back into the game after Franck Honorat capped off a brilliant move by firing into the bottom corner.
But a third for PSG came from the unlikeliest of sources with Idrissa Gana Gueye shooting into the top corner from 35 yards out.
Brest then got back into it again through ex-Huddersfield man Steve Mounie before Di Maria made the game safe with a carbon copy of his Copa America final winner against Brazil.
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AU REVOIR
Paris Saint-Germain end the evening where they expect to end the season: at the very top of Ligue 1.
Their 4-2 victory at Brest lacked Lionel Messi and conviction, but served up enough teasers to indicate that this will be a season to remember for the Parisians.
An arrowed Herrera volley, an explosive Mbappe header, a 40-yard thunderbolt from Gueye and Di Maria’s late lob proved that whatever their frailties elsewhere, this club is the very definition of box office.
Both the players and supporters of Paris celebrated joyously together as they left Stade Francis-Le Ble. Just think how happy they’ll be when Messi is finally ready to join them out on the pitch.
CASE FOR THE DEFENCE
Despite their attacking riches, questions are again being asked of the Paris Saint-Germain defence after another two goals conceded at Brest this evening.
The Parisians are yet to keep a clean sheet this season, and have now been breached five times in their opening three games.
Yet while the rest of Europe’s big guns are rubbing their hands in delight at this potential glitch, the level-headed PSG followers are urging others to stay calm.
Achraf Hakimi apart, Mauricio Pochettino’s first-choice goalkeeper and defence is likely to be completely different going forward with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos, Marquinhos and Layvin Kurzawa all waiting to come in.
PSG don’t have their top 2 CB’s or their top LB, which should be taken into account for all of this, but the trend line here isn’t great. Especially for Navas, who seems to be losing out in the 50/50 saves he’s been so good at over the years. #SB29PSG— Marc Damon (@MarcDamon9) August 20, 2021
STAT’S MAGIC
There may have been no Lionel Messi, but six goals, 27 shots, a couple of goalkeeping blunders and a former Huddersfield striker on target points to a memorable night at Stade Francis-Le Ble.
MAXIMUM IMPACT
PSG have registered nine points from their opening three games for the first time in three years.
The Parisians cantered to the title that season, and will be expecting more of the same following their summer transfer activity.
3 – Paris have won their first three games of a Ligue 1 season (2-1 v Troyes, 4-2 v Strasbourg and 4-2 v Brest) for the fourth time in their last seven seasons in the top-flight (2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2021/22). Boss. #SB29PSG pic.twitter.com/yCbf9Xh8Vv— OptaJean (@OptaJean) August 20, 2021
FT: BREST 2-4 PSG
PSG prevail 4-2 for the second league match in succession, and once again it was a game that they made unnecessarily hard work of. First half goals from Ander Herrera and Kylian Mbappe had them well in charge, and a second half scorcher from Idrissa Gueye will be long remembered. Yet Brest were never out of touch, and strikes from Franck Honorat and Steve Mounie kept them in contention for an unlikely draw all the way into injury time when Angel Di Maria sealed victory with a delightful lob. It’s three wins from three for Mauricio Pochettino’s men, but their all-star cast can – and must – do better.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!THE FINAL WHISTLE GOES!
BREST 2-4 PSG
90. Off the bench, Angel Di Maria settles PSG nerves and seals another three points with a delightful lob on the counter-attack.
Throwing the kitchen sink at the visitors, Brest had looked poised to find a dramatic equaliser. Yet PSG held firm when it mattered, and when Keylor Navas punched away a final cross, they flooded forward in numbers.
Di Maria was the driving force, moving through the midfield and exchanging passes with Achraf Hakimi. The Moroccan’s return was delightful, and left the Argentine through on a goal vacated by Marco Bizot.
The substitute looked up, and then lifted his effort beautifully over the oncoming goalkeeper to score his side’s fourth.
GOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL!!ANGEL DI MARIA SEALS IT FOR PSG!!
BREST 2-3 PSG
88. Brest are giving it a real good go, and Honorat is running riot down the right.
The winger is getting the better of Diallo time and time again, and has so much room to pick out a cross. He finds Mounie at the back stick, but his header is blocked by Kehrer.
BREST 2-3 PSG
86. A Brest change as Jean-Kevin Duverne takes over from Ronael Pierre-Gabriel.
BREST 2-3 PSG
85. With just under five minutes remaining, Brest have renewed hope.
Once again, the PSG defence are architects of their own downfall. Romain Faivre is afforded plenty of space to roam and pick out Steve Mounie, who evades the ball-watching Presnel Kimpembe.
The former Huddersfield man chests down to control, and then slams his shot through the legs of Keylor Navas.
What a finale this could be!
GOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLL!!STEVE MOUNIE FIRES IN FOR BREST!!
BREST 1-3 PSG
83. Brest still aren’t giving this one up. What have they got left in the tank?
BREST 1-3 PSG
81. Here’s Di Maria, on for a throughly fed-up Mbappe. The forward certainly hasn’t looked his usual content self.
BREST 1-3 PSG
79. Di Maria is receiving some final instructions from the PSG coaching staff, probably along the lines of “Once Neymar and Messi return, you’re going to really struggle to get a game so don’t mess this opportunity up.”
BREST 1-3 PSG
77. Brest almost pull one back straight away!
Honorats cuts a cross back for the arriving Pierre-Gabriel, but the defender’s first-time shot is straight at Navas.
BREST 1-3 PSG
76. What’s the French for “Don’t bother closing him down, it’s only Idrissa Gueye and he’s miles out”?
BREST 1-3 PSG
75. With their two-goal advantage restored, surely there will be further changes from Mauricio Pochettino in the final fifteen minutes.
BREST 1-3 PSG
73. A surprise goalscorer, whose method of scoring is an even greater surprise!
Idrissa Gueye takes charge of a partially-cleared PSG corner 45 yards from goal, allows himself a couple of steps to steady himself, and then lets fly.
The ball swerves from left to right, and creeps just inside the near post beyond a stunned Marco Bizot, who once again has not covered himself in glory.
Gueye celebrates a scorcher, and PSG will celebrate the points.
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!IDRISSA GUEYE SCORES FROM 40 YARDS!!
BREST 1-2 PSG
72. A first substitution for PSG. Julian Draxler replaces Marco Verratti.
BREST 1-2 PSG
68. Chance for Brest! A big chance! Well saved!
Cardona breaks on to Uronen’s pass forward, and finds himself clean through. He cuts across Hakimi, who dives in with a missed tackle, and eyes up Navas in goal. This time, however, the Costa Rican stopper is up to the task and makes the block.
The offside flag goes up retrospectively, but I’m not convinced.
BREST 1-2 PSG
66. The visitors are still enjoying 76% of possession if enjoying is the right words.
Very few of the PSG players look pleased with the hard work they’re making of this one.
BREST 1-2 PSG
64. Mbappe goes into the book.
The PSG forward leaves a boot in as Honorat releases a pass, leaving the Brest man rolling around in agony on the turf.
BREST 1-2 PSG
62. Di Maria is surely imminent given that PSG’s attackers have either run out of ideas or willing.
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