It works even without Messi: Hakimi saves PSG at Metz

Thursday 23 September 2021

It works even without Messi
Hakimi saves PSG in Metz

New deal signing Messi has to be sidelined with a bone bruise, but Paris Saint-Germain can win without the super-striker. Former Dortmund Achraf Hakimi was among the three points for the biggest club in France.

Even without injured superstar Lionel Messi, Paris Saint-Germain claimed their seventh victory in the seventh match of the season in Ligue 1. At the Metz stadium, Achraf Hakimi scored the winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time to make it 2-1 (1-1). He also put the Parisians in front after five minutes, and the hosts tied in the meantime with Boubacar Kuwaiti (39th place). Metz lost Dylan Bron in injury time after a red yellow card.

Messi injured his left knee in the previous match against Olympique Lyonnais. An MRI showed signs of bruising on the bones.

Voland scores in Monaco win

After a successful start in the Europa League, Monaco celebrated their second win of the season with coach Niko Kovac. With goalkeeper Alexander Noble and national footballer Kevin Volland in the starting line-up, Monaco beat Saint-Etienne 3-1 (1-1).

Leverkusen-based Volland scored the lead in the 28th minute with a sharp shot from a slightly sharp angle. Just six minutes later, visiting goalkeeper Etienne Green received a red card after a foul on Monaco striker Myron Boadu. But despite being outnumbered, Saint-Etienne equalized by Denis Bouanga (41).

After the second half, Captain Ben Yedder (60) brought the host team back to the front with a hand penalty, before making the decision with a shot in the 85th minute after a preparatory work by Voland. OSC Champion Lille defeated Stade Reims 2-1 (2-0) in their second home win.