Messi scores on return after World Cup triumph as PSG extends Ligue 1 lead

Ligue 1 – Paris St Germain v Angers – Parc des Princes, Paris, France – January 11, 2023 Paris St Germain’s Lionel Messi in action REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

PARIS—-Lionel Messi celebrated his return to competition after the World Cup with a second-half goal as Paris St Germain extended their Ligue 1 lead to six points with a 2-0 win over Angers on Wednesday.

Messi, who won the World Cup with Argentina, received a warm welcome from the Parc des Princes crowd and scored from close range in the 72nd minute to add to Hugo Ekitike’s first-half opener, taking PSG to 47 points from 18 games.

RC Lens stayed second but dropped two points when they drew 2-2 at struggling Racing Strasbourg with all the goals before the break.

Third place Olympique de Marseille is now two points behind Lens with 39 points after a 2-0 win over Troyes.

“This is the game we need, with three points at the end. The score is good for my confidence, I have to continue like this,” said Ekitike.

“We’re happy because it helps us put the Lens game behind us.”

PSG suffered their first defeat in all competitions this season when they were beaten 3-1 at Lens in the previous round, but they were calmer on Wednesday.

Ekitike, who got some playing time while Kylian Mbappe was rested after his quick return from the World Cup, made the most of his other appearance as he latched onto Nordi Mukiele’s cross to put the hosts ahead.

Mukiele was involved again after the break when he played Messi in for the Argentina striker to find the back of the net with a right-footed effort from close range.

Messi was flagged for offside but the goal was eventually allowed after a VAR review.

In Strasbourg, Lens lost 2-1 after Alexis Claude-Maurice’s 11th-minute opener was canceled out by Sanjin Prcic and Kevin Gameiro in the 13th and 16th minutes in a tense start to the game.

Lois Openda equalized in the 33rd with a powerful header but Lens could not add a third despite their dominance, as Strasbourg goalkeeper Matz Sels made several key saves after the break.

Marseille are now on Lens’ tails after Chancel Mbemba and Jordan Veretout’s goals secured all three points.

Elsewhere, Nice beat Montpellier 6-1 and Olympique Lyonnais’ poor season continued with a 0-0 draw at Nantes.

RELATED STORY

Read Next

Don’t miss the latest news and information.

For suggestions, complaints, or questions, please contact us.