Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) began their Champions League campaign with a well-deserved victory against Borussia Dortmund at the Parc des Princes. A Kylian Mbappe penalty early in the second half and a superb goal from Achraf Hakimi were enough to secure the three points for PSG against a stubborn Dortmund side. Let’s dive into the details of this intriguing match.
Kylian Mbappe Scores First Goal:
After a goalless first half, Kylian Mbappe broke the deadlock for PSG. His shot was handled by Nicklas Sule and he made no mistake from the resulting penalty, calmly slotting the ball into the bottom right corner. It was the perfect start for the French side and set them on their way to victory.
Hakimi’s Magic Secures the Win for PSG:
PSG’s victory was sealed by a moment of individual brilliance from Achraf Hakimi. The Moroccan full-back combined well with Vitinha before cutting inside and finishing with the outside of his boot against his former club. The skill and composure displayed by Hakimi to score that goal was a testament to his quality and a moment for the PSG fans to savor.
Tactical Battle with Dortmund
Dortmund put up a stubborn fight against PSG and were difficult to break down, especially in the first half. They had their own chances too, with Randal Kolo Muani and Vitinha posting reasonable efforts that went off-target. However, the Dortmund defense was eventually breached as PSG kept knocking on their door and taking their chances, making the most of their opportunities.
Group F Update
With this win, PSG sit atop Group F, alongside Newcastle, who held on to a goalless draw at the San Siro against AC Milan. The Newcastle result could have been an opportunity missed for the French outfit to extend their lead, but they will be focused on their own performances in this competition.
Verdict
In his first Champions League match in charge of PSG, manager Luis Enrique secured a victory that will boost the team’s confidence and fans. While Dortmund put up a fight, the class and quality of Mbappe and Hakimi proved enough to secure the three points for PSG. They will look to build on this solid start as they continue their challenging campaign in Europe.