PARIS, March 12: Kylian Mbappe scored a late winner as Paris Saint-Germain beat Brest 2-1 in Ligue on Saturday, but their performance was not an emphatic response to Champions League elimination.
PSG appeared to be limping to a 1-1 draw at Stade Francis-Le Ble, which would have been a major disappointment after defeat to Bayern Munich, only for Mbappe to step up and spare their blushes.
Carlos Soler had put PSG in front late in the first half, but Brest arguably played the better football and were good value for Franck Honorat’s excellent equaliser.
A commendable point looked set to be Brest’s reward for a spirited display, though Lionel Messi and Mbappe linked up in the 90th minute to put PSG 11 points clear. PSG quickly established control and almost took an early lead. Despite a comical air kick, Messi managed to nudge the ball to Soler while stumbling, and the Spaniard saw his attempt pushed onto the post by Marco Bizot.
Bizot could not deny Soler in the 37th minute, however, the midfielder smashing home after Mbappe’s long-range strike was parried.But PSG were soon pegged back.
The lively Honorat brought down Romain Del Castillo’s lofted throughball and held off Sergio Ramos and Timothee Pembele, before emphatically finishing beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Honorat turned provider 10 minutes after half-time, but Lilian Brassier’s wayward header failed to do the pinpoint delivery justice.
The two later combined to seal the points, however.Mbappe broke the offside trap to collect Messi’s pass and he slotted home after rounding the helpless Bizot. PSG’s desperation soon began to spawn chances. Bizot pushed a Messi curler wide, while Mbappe spurned two opportunities. PSG host Rennes a week on Sunday, when Brest face fellow strugglers Troyes. (Agencies)
