Lionel Messi plays first game since World Cup win, PSG without Kylian Mbappe beats Angers to score

Lionel Messi Returned to club football and scored after winning the FIFA 2022 World Cup Argentina that’s why Paris Saint-Germain beat the winners 2-0 Angers SCO in Ligue 1 on Wednesday.Messi and Hugo Ekticke He scored a goal as top beat bottom at Le Championna, but at the Parc des Princes it was far from a classic as the hosts struggled to win.

Despite bragging about Messi Neymar Just five minutes after kick-off, EKITIKE’s shot looked like the limit of scoring until VAR intervened. Nordi Mukiele Providing both assists, Messi eventually scored his second after completing a cute pass move 18 minutes into the hour.

There was a lot to worry about until South American Christophe Galtier proved this match was beyond doubt. Abdallah Sima At 1-0, Angers’ brilliant chance was wasted and PSG produced almost nothing in most of their matches. Kylian Mbappe is missing as he returns to training after Achraf Hakimi has been suspended and given the rest he deserves. Marco Verratti I was injured.

These three absences and some mostly indifferent displays have contributed to growing concerns in the capital that the Parisians are well off the level expected a month after their UEFA Champions League return. Neymar in particular was a ghostly presence, only a reminder that he was even on the field while Messi himself was quiet until he scored.

Ultimately, it was up to the Argentinian to deliver the game-winning magic when he finished beyond determination Paul Bernardoni To take the game beyond the spunky SCO outfit.

Given that the offside VAR check ultimately proved to be unfounded and that there was no fanfare for the returning champion in his home capital of the defeated World Cup finalist, Messi made the night’s was given the loudest applause of

Aside from Ekticke’s opening goal, the home side actually looked second best as the bottom team in Ligue 1 tried to pull off an unlikely result. It wasn’t, but PSG and Messi have to improve in the coming weeks if they’re ready to face Bayern Munich.

League loss to RC lens It looks like they haven’t quite awakened the champion from his sleep yet. Sunday’s away at Stade Renne promises to be far more challenging for Galtier’s forces.