Messi, Neymar, Mbappe Fail to Score As Club Brugge Force PSG to 1–1 Draw
- PSG have started their quest for the Champions League title on the back foot following a draw at Club Brugge
- Despite Mauricio Pochettino listing Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to start the game, it was Ander Herrera who scored PSG's goal
- The visitors drew level courtesy of a fine strike by Hans Vanaken as both teams could only share the spoils on the night
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French club Paris Saint-Germain were forced to a 1-1 draw by Belgian side Club Brugge in their opening fixture in the Champions League, Marca reports.
PSG begin their quest for European glory on Wednesday, September 15 when they took on Belgian side Club Brugge away at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
The highly-entertaining encounter ended in a draw as Ander Herrera's goal was cancelled out by Hans Vanaken.
The hosts began the game on the back-foot in the first 10 minutes and the electric trio of PSG, Messi, Neymar and Mbappe failed to get into the game as the hosts looked to be the more energetic of the two sides.
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In the 11th minute, PSG were lucky not to have been reduced to 10 men after Leandro Paredes failed to control the ball at the back, slipping beneath his feet, and ended up making a rash challenge. Fortunately for him, Marquinhos was on the cover, otherwise it would've been a red card.
It was the French side that opened the scoring in the 16th minute courtesy of a fine finish by Ander Herrera.
The goal came after good work by Mbappe down the left, who cut the ball back to the penalty spot, and it was Ander Herrera on hand to tuck it away with his left foot. It's the Spaniard's fourth goal of the campaign.
Messi and Di Maria caught in an awkward moment with Rennes fans after PSG's suffer 1st league defeat
However, Brugge drew level in the 27th minute following a fine strike by Hans Vanaken. The Belgian star arrived late in the box and latched into a perfect Eduard Sobol cutback to divert the ball beyond Keylor Navas.
Six minutes into the second half, Kylian Mbappe fell injured after a clip on the ankles. He had to be replaced by Mauro Icardi. PSG were desperate for the winner, but somehow they failed to find the back of the net again - and that was how it ended; Club Brugge 1-1 PSG.
Pochettino explains how PSG managed to sign Lionel Messi
Meanwhile, Briefly News earlier reported that the manager of French club Paris Saint-Germain Mauricio Pochettino has narrated how the French club were able to convince Lionel Messi to switch, Mirror reports.
Several top clubs in Europe jostled for the signature of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, but Messi finally signed for the Parisians after Barcelona allowed him to go.
The Argentine player spent 21 seasons with the Spanish outfit and the world was stunned when news filtered through that Messi had agreed to join PSG.
Source: Briefly News
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