Kylian Mbappé at the double to secure PSG’s first win of the season

Marco Asensio’s smart strike saw PSG take the lead before half-time as Kylian Mbappé’s double sealed a significant win over last season’s title rivals Lens. The Sang & Or scored deep in injury time, but it was too little too late for Franck Haise’s side

Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 RC Lens

THE MATCH

The first half was a tightly-contested affair between last season’s top two, with some early forays forward from Kylian Mbappé on his return home to the Parc des Princes. Lens kept up with the Parisian side, going toe to toe in every department. The Lenois had some opportunities themselves, with some penalty appeals waved away by referee Francois Letexier. 

The home side made the breakthrough just before half-time, with Marco Asensio scoring his first goal for the club. The former Real Madrid man found himself on the edge of the box and stroked a precise low shot past Brice Samba to open his account for Les Parisiens.

The beginning of the second half saw Luis Enrique’s side keep up the pressure, and it was none other than Kylian Mbappé – on his return starting action for PSG – who doubled his side’s lead with a trademark finish from the edge of the box. The lead up to the goal saw the 24-year-old combine well with Vitinha, and there was nothing but pure venom in his strike past Samba. The home side had a variety of chances to extend their lead, and looked dangerous on the counter attack with the pace of Mbappé and Dembélé on either wing.

Whilst Lens looked to get on possession and try to work back into the game, PSG too often than not were better in their defensive positioning. New Lens signing Elye Wahi came into play in the 57th minute, yet found himself an isolated figure up front. Mbappé settled the contest definitively in injury time, with his shot from the middle of the box scuffling off several Lens defenders and trickling into the back of the net. Lens responded with a consolation goal, with some high pressing gifting Guilavogui a chance to squeeze a strike past Donnarumma. However, it had little bearing on the outcome of the clash: the French champions secured their first win of the season, and their first in Ligue 1 Uber Eats under manager Luis Enrique.

THE PLAYER – Manuel Ugarte

Whilst the Uruguayan isn’t the star of the show, he is the perfect solution to PSG’s midfield woes. Tenacity, work-rate, and the eye for good positioning and a tough tackle has quickly seen the holding midfielder endear himself to the Parisian faithful. He was vital in Luis Enrique’s midfield tonight, sitting behind Vitinha and Zaïre-Emery, to provide the grit and cover needed and act as the springboard for many of the attacks which threatened Lens on the counter attack.

THE STAT – 400

Kylian Mbappé scored in the 51st minute to double PSG’s lead over the Sang & Or, it became his 400th goal involvement in his career, and his 300th with PSG (according to Opta). It also became his 150th goal in Ligue 1 Uber Eats for PSG. He then followed up late in injury time to secure a double on his first start of the season. The Frenchman has now scored three in two games this season.