Lionel Messi scored a brilliant winner in a 2-1 victory for Paris Saint-Germain against Toulouse on Saturday.
The home side were without Marco Verratti, Sergio Ramos, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar Jr as they hoped to go eight points clear, ahead of Marseille in second, at the top of the table.
They were further hampered by an early injury to midfielder Renato Sanches. Branco van den Boonen put a dent in those hopes with an accurate free kick after 20 minutes, but Achraf Hakimi levelled with his own long-distance striker on 38 minutes.
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In the second half, Christophe Galtier – a former Toulouse player – watched his side chase all three points.
Just before the hour mark, Hakimi ran the ball into the path of Messi, who whipped a smart shot from the edge of the box to put PSG ahead.
Toulouse then made a flurry of changes but the reigning champions held onto their lead. PSG remain top, while Toulouse are in 12th ahead of the rest of the weekend’s games.
Talking point – PSG are reliant on Messi staying fit
With Renato Sanches out, the injury concerns for PSG are mounting ahead of the Champions League restart.
While Neymar, Sergio Ramos and Kylian Mbappe will likely be back relatively soon, for now all the focus is on Messi as Hugo Ekitike struggled to match the level required to break down Toulouse.
When the final stages of the Champions League comes around, Messi’s genius might just be enough, but they struggled on Saturday evening without help for the Argentine.
Player of the match – Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
The full-back is one of the best defenders in the game but much of that is because of his attacking prowess. Scoring one, setting up another, while keeping Toulouse at back on his side of the pitch. He is one of the standout players behind PSG’s famous front line.
Player ratings
PSG: Donnarumma 7, Hakim 8, Marquinhos 6, Danilo 7, Nuno Mendes 6, Vitinha 6, Sanches 6, Fabian 6, Soler 6, Eikitike 6, Messi 8. Subs: Bernat 6, Bitshiabu 6, Zaire-Emery 6, Gharbi 6.
Toulouse: Dupe 6, Kamanzi 6, Rouault 6, Nicolaisen 6, Diarra 6, Spierings 6, Van den Boomen 7, Dejaegere 5, Aboukhal 5, Onaiwu 5, Chaibi 6. Subs: Desler 6, Suazo 6, Sierro 6, Birmancevic 7, Dallinga 6.
Key events
17’ – RUIZ AGAIN – Closer to goal this time, and he rifles a firm shot over the bar inside the box.
20’ – GOAL! PSG 0-1 TOULOUSE – VAN DEN BOOMEN – A low free kick whips past a poorly-placed wall, low to the ‘keeper’s right, and that’s the away side ahead!
34’ – DANILO GOES CLOSE – From a corner after Messi’s free kick is deflected, Marquinhos brushes the ball at the near post, it comes back out to Danilo, and as he leans back he sends a ball just over the bar.
38’ – GOAL! PSG 1-1 TOULOUSE – HAKIMI SCORES – Achraf Hakimi cuts in from the right unchallenged and curls in a wonderful shot to the far post.
55’ – HAKIMI CHANCE – Messi flicks a great through ball in for the defender, and he boots the ball well wide from a tight angle.
58’ – GOAL! PSG 2-1 TOULOUSE – MESSI SCORES – A wonderful goal from the genius. The ball comes to his path on the edge of the D and so he simply clips it into the corner.
Key stat
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