After a pretty entertaining 1-1 draw between Nantes and Lille on Friday night, Saturday night action got even better in France. PSG, after scoring five goals on the opening day against Clermont, were on the money in a big way once again against Montpellier at home.
Things did not begin very auspiciously in their first home game of the season, as Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty early on in the game. Whilst many were perplexed that Lionel Messi or Neymar Jr didn’t take that spot kick, PSG looked a little clueless for the first 35 minutes.
They got a lucky break around the 40th-minute mark with an own goal coming from Falaye Sacko. Shortly after, they received another penalty in the 43rd minute, and this time, Neymar took it up to send the keeper the wrong way. The Brazilian added another to his tally in the second half, which made it five goals in two games this season for him.
Wahbi Khazri pulled one back for the visiting side, after Gianluigi Donnarruma couldn’t clear the ball with conviction. But soon after, Mbappe redeemed himself with a corner beautifully converted from near range. Debutant Renato Sanches got a goal just a minute after coming up. A late consolation goal from Enzo Tchato made it 5-2, but PSG were the side with all the smiles.
Monaco and Rennes locked horns at the Stade Louis II after both sides had mixed results in the opening weekend. Whilst Monaco won 2-1 away from home, Rennes lost at home to FC Lorient in a very surprising result. The latter needed some redemption to avoid two defeats in two games, and manager Bruno Genesio saw a great fight from his lads.
The game was off to a dramatic start, with Youssouf Fofana getting sent off in just 15 minutes, which crippled the hosts. Rennes tried to take advantage of the extra body and kept pushing men forward to create chances. They were caught on the break in this pursuit and conceded a penalty to Monaco, but Steve Mandanda redeemed himself by saving the penalty after conceding it in the first place.
Gaetan Laborde broke the deadlock at the hour mark to give Rennes a deserved lead. However, they were not having an easy outing despite having the extra individual advantage. Breel Embolo scored for Monaco in the 72nd minute with a sensational breakaway, and they managed to hold onto that lead until the end.
