Icardi the unlikely hero for PSG

As expected by the PSG fanbase, an Argentine hero emerged at the Parc des Princes tonight. They were half-right, as Mauro Icardi – not Lionel Messi – came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner. Icardi the unlikely hero for PSG.

With PSG aiming to make it six from six, Lionel Messi was the name on everyone’s lips before kick-off. Unsurprisingly, PSG had the first chance, with Messi’s countryman Ángel Di María forcing Anthony Lopes into a low save, following some fine free-flowing attacking movement. It was not long, however, until Lionel Messi was soon orchestrating the direction of the hosts’ attacking play, and Lopes had to be alert to keep out his low strike after Kylian Mbappé’s cute cut-back.

Messi almost had his magical moment from a set piece, which cannoned off the bar with Lopes standing motionless between the two sticks. In contrast, chances were few and far between for Lyon, but Gianluigi Donnarumma did make a smart stop to keep out Xherdan Shaqiri’s fierce strike. However, Lyon struck first in the 54th minute courtesy of Paquetá, who brilliantly swept home a left-footed strike at the near post after he was superbly picked out by Karl Toko Ekambi from the left-hand side.

Pochettino’s men were then given a rather fortuitous lifeline, when Malo Gusto was harshly adjudged to have brought down Neymar inside the box. Referee Clément Turpin awarded a penalty, which the latter nonchalantly converted with 66 minutes on the clock.

Following a positive performance, Messi left the action with little under 15 minutes remaining, being replaced by Achraf Hakimi and cutting a frustrated figure after failing to mark his home debut with a goal. There was to be one final twist though, as Icardi entered the fray, and headed home from Mbappé’s cross to spark wild scenes of jubilation in the French capital.