Guingamp 1 - 3 Paris Saint-Germain: Mbappe back with a bang to rescue PSG

Posted Sunday, August 19, 2018 by PA

Kylian Mbappe marked his return to action with a late brace as Paris St Germain came from behind to beat Guingamp 3-1 at the Stade de Roudourou.

With his side 1-0 down, the 19-year-old was brought on at half-time by boss Thomas Tuchel for his first appearance since winning the World Cup with France and being named the young player of the tournament.

And after Neymar’s penalty had brought things level eight minutes into the second half, Mbappe then completed the turnaround with a strike in the 82nd minute before adding another, a delightful finish, in the 90th.

Guingamp had taken the lead through Nolan Roux’s 20th-minute effort and felt aggrieved soon after when Nicolas Benezet’s header was ruled out by referee Clement Turpin following a VAR review.

After Angel Di Maria sent an early shot curling just over the hosts’ bar, the Ligue 1 champions found themselves under considerable pressure.

Gianluigi Buffon made a superb one-handed save in the 14th minute that diverted a Roux shot against the bar, then pushed away a Ludovic Blas attempt.

And the Italian veteran was beaten shorty after as Guingamp punished a mistake by Colin Dagba.

The defender lost possession near his own box and Marcus Coco picked up the loose ball and teed up Roux, who fired in.

A few minutes later, Guingamp had the ball in the net again as Coco took the ball past the outrushing Buffon on the left of the box and delivered a cross that Benezet headed in. But the score remained 1-0 after Turpin consulted a pitchside monitor and judged that Benezet had fouled Dagba as he nodded in.

All PSG produced in response was a drilled effort wide from Christopher Nkunku in first-half stoppage time that left Neymar looking less than impressed.

With Mbappe introduced for Timothy Weah, Tuchel’s men then looked far more menacing from the early stages of the second half.

And after Di Maria had a shot parried by Karl-Johan Johnsson, Neymar, who continues to be linked with Real Madrid, coolly netted the equaliser with a spot-kick he won himself, going down when challenged by Jordan Ikoko.

PSG continued on the front foot and three minutes after hitting the post having connected with Neymar’s corner, Di Maria fed Mbappe and the substitute slotted beyond Johnsson.

Mbappe then wrapped things up as he lifted the ball over Johnsson in wonderful fashion having received it from Neymar.

PSG have two wins from two league games so far this term, having beaten Caen 3-0 at home in their opener.