Arabnews24.ca:Sunday 5 February 2023 05:54 AM: PARIS — Lionel Messi scored in the second-half to help Paris St Germain recover from a woeful start and extend their Ligue 1 lead to a provisional eight points with a 2-1 home victory.
Messi struck the winner after the break with his third goal in his last five league games to put PSG on 54 points from 22 games.
The superstar struck with a typical curling strike in the 57th minute following a move with Morocco right back Achraf Hakimi, who drew PSG level late in the first half after free kick specialist Branco van den Boomen put Toulouse ahead in the 20th.
PSG was without injured forwards Kylian Mbappe and Neymar and relied heavily on Messi, who hit the post during stoppage time.
Mbappe is out for at least three weeks after sustaining a left thigh tear. Neymar is having treatment for a sore adductor and missed his second straight game.
PSG’s injury woes increased when Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches went off injured in the 13th with a thigh injury.
Achraf Hakimi had cancelled out Branco van den Boomen’s opener in the first half for Christophe Galtier’s side, who had only won two of their last five matches in Ligue 1.
“Lionel was our engine, he scored and created chances. I ask of the team that they play for him,” said Galtier.
“His team mates need to make more efforts defensively to give him more freedom to create movement and opportunities.”
Renato Sanches was on in midfield following Marco Verratti’s suspension, but the Portugal international left the pitch in tears after sustaining a thigh injury on 12 minutes.
Van den Boomen then opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a finely taken free kick that left Gianlugi Donnarumma with both feet stuck in the ground.
Marquinhos latched onto a Messi free kick, only for his deflection to hit the post 12 minutes before the break, but Hakimi was more precise five minutes later with a superb curled attempt from outside the box.
Messi then curled another one into the bottom corner from outside the area in the 58th minute to put PSG decisively ahead, coming close to adding one more in stoppage time only to hit the post.
Stade Rennais’s Champions League hopes later took a major knock when they wasted a 1-0 advantage and lost 3-1 at home to Lille, who prevailed thanks to late goals by Remy Cabella and Andre Gomes.
Rennes are left in fifth place on 40 points, with Lille in sixth, two points behind them.
Olympique Lyonnais continued to improve as goals by their youngsters Bradley Barcola and Rayan Cherki helped them beat Troyes 3-1 away.
Laurent Blanc’s side, however, remain in eighth place on 32 points.
