Kylian Mbappe netted a late winner for PSG against Strasbourg on Wednesday but Neymar's dismissal overshadowed the occasion.
The Brazilian sulked his way off the pitch, kicking a loose ball in frustration after seeing two yellow cards within 90 seconds. It was a sobering end to an electric 62 minutes from Neymar.
All neat flicks and darting dribbles, he had controlled the match before throwing the result into jeopardy by picking up an unnecessary second booking for a dive in the Strasbourg penalty area.
It was a moment not out of character for the oft-criticised forward. Neymar has long been maligned for his short temper and penchant for going to ground. But this time, it could have cost his team dearly.
The Brazilian is lucky, then, that his side have match winners elsewhere. In the 94th minute, Mbappe burst into the box before being dragged down. The referee swiftly pointed to the spot, and the Frenchman tucked his go-ahead penalty past a sprawling goalkeeper to give the Ligue 1 leaders a 2-1 win over the 19th-placed side.
In the end, then, Mbappe was the difference. But for a PSG side expected to demolish teams of Strasbourg's calibre, the Neymar incident is probably what will be remembered most.
Getty ImagesThe Winners
Kylian Mbappe:
What a confusing night for the Frenchman. Any notions of an Mbappe revenge performance were put on hold for 90 minutes. He was as energetic as ever, full of runs and darting dribbles, but Strasbourg always had an extra man waiting. There were moments of visible frustration, angry glances at team-mates, and arms waved in protest.
But he showed up in added time, surging into the box to win a penalty, burying it, and celebrating wildly in front of the home fans. It was far from his best night, but with Messi absent and Neymar sent off, Mbappe stepped up.
El Chadaille Bitshiabu:
With Nuno Mendes and Juan Bernat both injured, the 6-foot-6 left back was called into action for his first league start. And he hardly put a foot wrong, timing his tackles well and winning all of his aerial duels.
It became pretty clear early on that Strasbourg were trying to target his side – such is the defensive weakness of Mbappe. But Bitshiabu equipped himself well under pressure, and made a case for more minutes going forward. He's still not good enough on the ball to be a regular, but at 17, there's plenty of time for development.
Marquinhos:
What a lucky night for the Brazilian! He scored PSG's first with a well-taken header, before slicing the ball into his own net for Strasbourg's equaliser.
His own goal was forgotten after Neymar's red card and Mbappe's winner.
Marquinhos' embarrassment didn't cost PSG any points. He will have better performances in a PSG shirt, but can consider himself lucky that this won't be remembered as a consequential one.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers
Neymar:
The Brazilian had a typically polarising night, but nearly cost his team two points after being sent off for diving with about 30 minutes remaining. He was kicked early and often by Strasbourg's midfield, and by the second half it was clearly getting to him. Neymar lashed out at Thomasson to pick up a first yellow, and then blatantly dove just 90 seconds later to earn himself a second.
It was a silly two minutes to ruin what had otherwise been an impressive showing from the Brazilian. He was at the center of everything for PSG for the first 45 minutes, and provided the assist for Marquinhos to open the scoring.
Christophe Galtier:
The PSG coach will likely be happy with the result, but there are few positives to take from the performance. His side was languid throughout, and didn't create too many real chances.
Neymar's red card also gives him a selection headache with Messi likely not ready to return to training following Argentina's World Cup win and Mbappe now also out.
PSG play second-place Lens on Sunday, and Galtier will have to get a far better showing out of his side to put them away.
PSG Ratings: Defence
Gianluigi Donnarumma (7/10): Denied Gameiro from close range to maintain PSG's lead in the first half. Could do little about the Strasbourg goal. Distributed well, snagged some awkward crosses under pressure.
Nordi Mukiele (6/10): Made some dangerous runs down the right, but was sloppy on the ball. Visibly uncomfortable when asked to play on the left in the closing stages.
Sergio Ramos (6/10): Ramos was given a difficult night by the physical Ludovic Ajorque. Only won one of his seven aerial duals, and looked uncomfortable on the ball.
Marquinhos (6/10): Opened the scoring with a free header before putting one into his own net.
El Chadaille Bitshiabu (7/10): Excellent defensively in his first Ligue 1 start. Made seven recoveries, including one last ditch block to keep his side ahead in the first half. Was caught out of position for Strasbourg's equalizer.
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Midfield
Fabian Ruiz (7/10): Lots of ideas, little execution. Won the ball back with regularity and looked to link up with PSG's attacking trio, but never found the killer ball.
Marco Verratti (5/10): Far from his best night after being handed a contract extension. Gave away the ball that led to Strasbourg's equaliser, and was uncharacteristically poor on the ball.
Vitinha (7/10): Unspectacular. Didn't create much and offered little protection for young left back Bitshiabu. Substituted in the 73rd minute after an ineffective night.