Messi scores first Ligue 1 goal as 10-man PSG beat Nantes
PARIS, France: Lionel Messi struck his first goal in Ligue 1 on Saturday as Paris SaintGermain overcame a red card for goalkeeper Keylor Navas to defeat Nantes 3-1.
Kylian Mbappe carried on his prolific goalscoring run with an early opener at the Parc des Princes, but Randal Kolo Muani equalised for Nantes in the second half after Navas was sent off.
A freak own goal by Dennis Appiah put PSG back in front with 10 minutes left before Messi wrapped up a 12th win in 14 league games this season ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to Manchester City.
“I’m delighted with this first goal, I really wanted it,” Messi told Amazon Prime.
The Argentine has scored three times for PSG in as many games in Europe, but had yet to open his account in the French top flight after five appearances.
“I’ve had several chances, in this match and in previous matches. I’m very happy with this first goal in Ligue 1 even if I had already scored in the Champions League,” he said.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side increased their lead at the top of the table to 12 points over Rennes, who moved into second place with a 2-0 victory over Montpellier.
Messi missed PSG’s past two games before the international break through injury, but returned to form a fearsome attack alongside Neymar and Mbappe after leading Argentina to a place at the 2022 World Cup.
Nantes had beaten PSG on their last visit to the capital in March, but Mbappe ensured the hosts made an ideal start by redirecting Leandro Paredes’ long-range effort past Alban Lafont.
The France star has scored seven times in his last four outings after netting five goals for his country in World Cup qualifying wins over Kazakhstan and Finland over the
past week.