PSG Flex on Lille ahead of break

After two sparkling victories to start the season, ahead of the international break, holders Paris Saint-Germain were facing their toughest task to date -- a trip to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy to face LOSC Lille, the side which had last denied them the title, in 2021. While Les Dogues gave a good account of themselves off the back of a busy week, in the end Luis Enrique's side made short work of their hosts in running out 3-1 winners.

Two goals in three minutes

In the wake of their UEFA Champions League qualification in midweek, LOSC made some changes to their eleven, with Jonathan David and Rémy Cabella only on the bench. PSG, for their part, named a largely unchanged side, with only Lucas Beraldo replacing Nuno Mendes. Despite PSG dominating the ball, it was the hosts who would have the first clear chance, with Edon Zhegrova's low cross finding the feet of Bafodé Diakité -- the defender's effort hit the post, denying him a chance to further his goalscoring record. 

Shaken but undeterred, PSG shook off this early scare, although it would take some twenty minutes more for them to open the scoring. A mazy run by Ousmane Dembélé was brought to an end by Alexsandro in the box and Vitinha duly stepped up to dispatch the penalty, giving the champions the lead. Just three minutes later, PSG had doubled their lead, after Marco Asensio had played a fine one-two with Bradley Barcola, the Frenchman finishing on the counter with a sublime curling effort.

💥💥💥#LOSCPSG pic.twitter.com/Q4i2QV2VZt

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) September 1, 2024

Zhegrova gives hope

In the second half, Barcola had another strong chance, stinging the palms of LOSC 'keeper Lucas Chevalier with a low shot shot, but the third goal would eventually come from the hosts as Edon Zhegrova found the bottom corner with a shot from outside the area (78'). Things were nervy for the leaders for the next fifteen minutes, but Randal Kolo Muani, on off the bench, would eventually seal the result in stoppage time.

With the win, PSG move two points clear of Nantes, Monaco, Lens and Marseille atop the table, boasting the league's only perfect record through three rounds. They'll return to action after the break against Brest, who picked up their first points of the season this weekend. Lille, who had won their first two encounters prior to this evening, dropped to sixth and will look to rebound against struggling Saint-Étienne after the break.

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