Match Report: Dembélé brace & Ruiz stunner seals PSG win over Brest (3-1)
Match Reports
Despite going behind in the first half, Paris Saint-Germain emerged as clear winners over a Stade Brestois side that initially showed plenty of resolve. Romain Del Castillo converted from the penalty spot to give Brest the lead, but a brace from Ousmane Dembélé either side of a stunner from Fabian Ruiz took the wind out of Les Pirates' sails as PSG extended their 25-game unbeaten run against the Breton side.
It was a clash of Champions League proportions at the Parc des Princes, with both sides making their 2024-2025 entry in Europe's premiere competition next week. But the focus was very much on the evening's action, as Luis Enrique had to deal with a multitude of injury issues over the international break which saw Warren Zaïre-Emery and Vitinha sidelined to face Brest. Meanwhile, Eric Roy had the opportunity to field three new signings Edmilson Fernandes, the experienced Massado Haïdara, as well as on-loan Brighton striker Abdallah Sima.
Les Pirates take surprise lead
Les Parisiens were predictably dominant in the opening periods of the game, and Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot had to intervene with a great save to prevent Nuno Mendes from tapping in Ousmane Dembélé's flashed cross at the far post. He would have to be called on a second time to deny Joao Neves from the left side of the box. Marco Asensio would have a glorious opportunity to open the scoring after latching onto Nuno Mendes' cross and was one-on-one with Bizot - yet the Spaniard's effort was blasted well over the bar.
Brest managed to navigate the initial storm, and Les Pirates would come out the other side with a golden opportunity to go ahead after Nuno Mendes brought down Ludovic Ajorque in the box for a penalty. Romain Del Castillo stepped up to convert confidently from the spot, sending the travelling Brestois away end into raptures (30'). A goal-up to the surprise of many, but now the onus was on the side from capital to breach Brest's deep defensive hull.
Ousmane Dembélé would come close, cutting inside and letting off a warning shot just wide of the post. He would strike again only minutes later, meeting Marco Asensio's cross with a powerful downward header to level proceedings (43'). Another goal for the French international, which brought his tally of five goal involvements in his last five PSG games in competitive action.
Two quickfire goals sink Brest
The second half would expectedly see waves of repeated Parisien attack, but Les Ti'Zefs were seemingly capable of soaking up the pressure and closing the spaces as the game became a much more cagey affair. Luis Enrique called upon Désiré Doué to come off the bench for Bradley Barcola, whilst Willian Pacho replaced Nuno Mendes. Les Parisiens had the ball in the back of the net via Marco Asensio, but the flag would be raised instantly for offside.
It had to take something special to break the deadlock, and Fabian Ruiz certainly managed to do so with a lovely curled finish from the edge of the box (73') - harking flashbacks from his sparkling summer campaign at the Euros. Les Parisiens raced forward once again only a minute later, as Ousmane Dembélé latched onto Randal Kolo Muani's deflected effort and finished past Bizot to add some dazzle onto the result for PSG (75'). Les Parisiens saw out the remaining 15 minutes in relative tranquillity to keep their 100% record since the start of the season intact.
THE STAT: lucky 13?
Paris Saint-Germain currently hold the best goal-difference (+13) after four games played in Ligue 1 since Stade de Reims in the 1952-1953 season (+16).
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