Mbappe helps PSG crush Lyon
The main match at Groupama was arranged in the first half, when PSG scored four goals. In the 3rd minute, the away team was awarded a penalty because Manuel Ugarte was brought down in the penalty area by Lyon captain Corentin Tolisso. On the 11m mark, Mbappe shot in the middle, touching goalkeeper Anthony Lopes but still in the net.
The French striker completed his double in the second minute of injury, also stemming from Lyon's mistake. Duje Caleta-Car made an error in the midfield circle, creating conditions for PSG to counterattack. Rookie Marco Asensio poked a ball for Mbappe to enter the penalty area and shot a low cross-angle shot past Lopes.
This is Mbappe's third consecutive game to score, after a brace in a 3-1 win over Lens and a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Toulouse. Previously, the striker 24 was absent from the opening match of the 0-0 draw with Lorient because he was expelled from the first team after refusing to extend until 2025.
Between Mbappe's two goals were goals from Achraf Hakimi and Marco Asensio. In the 20th minute, Lopes pushed Ousmane Dembele's cross, causing the ball to bounce right into Hakimi's position, and the Morocco defender easily shot into the empty net. 17 minutes later, it was Asensio's turn to receive Manuel Ugarte's pass, enter the penalty area and shoot to the near corner to increase the score to 3-0. This is the Spanish striker's second goal for PSG, after the win over Lens on August 26.
In the second half, Lyon only pulled one goal back even though PSG faltered. In the 73rd minute, after going to the border to review the video, referee Eric Wattellier determined that Warren Zaire-Emery had fouled Nicolas Tagliafico in the penalty area and awarded the homeowner a penalty. On the 11m mark, Tolisso shot sharply to the right corner, contrary to Gianluigi Donnarumma's judgment.
PSG are unbeaten in their last six away trips against Lyon in all competitions, since the 1-2 loss in February 2019. Only Mbappe and Marquinhos started for PSG in the 2019 defeat and yesterday's win.
The 4-1 victory helped PSG rise to second in Ligue 1 with eight points, equal to Marseille and two points behind Monaco. After a break to make way for the national team, the Paris capital club will meet Nice in the fifth round of Ligue 1 on September 16 and Dortmund in the opening match of Group F of the Champions League on September 19, both at Parc des Princes.
Lyon: Lopes; Mata, Caleta-Car, Diomande, Tagliafico; Tolisso (Lepenant 80), Maitland-Niles; Cherki (Alvero 76), Caqueret, Nuamah (Jeffinho 76); Kadewere (Balde 46).
PSG: Donnaruma; Hernandez, Skriniar, Marquinhos, Hakimi; Vitinha, Ugarte (Ruiz 75), Zaire-Emery (Ndour 86); Mbappe, Asensio (Ramos 75), Dembele (Barcola 75).
