Ligue 1: Messi substituted, Icardi scores a late winner for PSG against Lyon

Neymar canceled out Lucas Pacqueta's opener before substitute Mauro Icardi scored an injury time winner for PSG.

Mauro Icardi in a file photo; Credit: Twitter/@PSG_English
By Sreejith C R | Sep 20, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

The hero of the Ligue 1 fixture between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais was an Argentine, not Lionel Messi but Mauro Icardi. The 28-year-old scored a late injury-time winner to secure a 2-1 win for the Capital side after Lionel Messi was substituted in the 76th minute. Although Lucas Paqueta gave the lead to the away side in the 54th minute, Neymar leveled from the penalty spot before Icardi sealed the win. The victory helped Mauricio Pochettino’s side to maintain their perfect record with 18 points whereas Lyon is struggling at the ninth spot with eight points from six games.

Pochettino started with an attacking lineup consisting of Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Angel di Maria. In the 32nd minute, Messi released Neymar down the left flank before racing forward to collect the back-heel return from the Brazilian. But the former Barcelona man’s low shot was saved by goalkeeper Anthony Lopes’ legs. Messi was the best player in the first half. The six-time Ballon D’or winner hit the woodwork with a 25-meter free kick in the 38th minute.

Apart from the Argentine legend’s two attempts, the home side didn’t have an impact in the first half. Meanwhile nine minutes into the second half, the away side broke the deadlock. Karl Toko Ekambi’s low cross from the left was slotted in by Paqueta at the near post. PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was making his second appearance for the club, should have done better. 

The goal spurred PSG back into action and Neymar earned a penalty after he was brought down by 18-year-old Malo Gusto inside the box. The Brazilian stepped up and converted the spot kick to level the score.

To the surprise of everyone, in the 76th minute Pochettino replaced Messi with Achrif Hakimi. The Argentine, who is still searching for his first goal after moving from Barcelona this summer looked unhappy with the decision.

Asked why he decided to substitute his compatriot, Pochettino said: “Everyone knows we have great players on the team.

“We have a very rich squad of 35 players. Then we have to make choices.  With the 11 who must start. And then we have to make decisions during the game.

“Sometimes these choices pay off and sometimes they don’t. But that’s why we’re standing in front of the bench thinking about what to do. And those decisions that you have to make, whether things go well or not. Whether you like it or not.”

Ligue 1: Icardi’s injury time winner

In the 82nd minute, Icardi was brought in for Di Maria and the former Inter Milan striker scored the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Mbappe delivered a precise inswinging cross from the left flank for Icardi to head in the winner from in front of goal.

PSG are still searching for their best form this season as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Club Brugge in the mid-week Champions League fixture.

“It’s very positive for us,” added Pochettino. “After our difficult game against Brugge, winning again was important.

“Lyon are a great team, with great players and they played well in the first half. After the goal we conceded, we had to show some character.

“We have to find the balance to provide strength to the team. We continue to work on it.

The victory helped PSG to go five points clear at the top from Marseille, who have a game in hand. PSG’s next match is Wednesday’s Ligue 1 trip to Metz.





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