PSG beat Brest to extend strong start to Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain’s quest to recapture the Ligue 1 title continued in winning fashion, with a 4-2 win over an outclassed Brest at Stade Francis Le-Blé, which ensured a full return of nine points to start PSG’s campaign.

Despite being without Sergio Ramos, Neymar, and their iconic new signing Lionel Messi, PSG immediately assumed control of the match, collecting over 70% possession in the first half and looking dangerous on every break. The only surprise was that it took them just over 20 minutes to take the lead through Ander Herrera, when the Spaniard struck a sweet volley at goal, leaving Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot only able to tip it onto the post and into the back of the net.

PSG doubled their lead just 13 minutes later. Georginio Wijnaldum’s blocked shot landed perfectly to Kylian Mbappé, who placed a pinpoint header past Bizot for his first goal of the campaign. Seemingly, PSG had finally opened the floodgates, but they remained vulnerable at the back, and ultimately couldn’t make it to HT without conceding. Romain Faivre unlocked the visitors’ defense with a delicate flick to Franck Honorat, who drove his effort through the normally reliable Keylor Navas and gave the Costa Rican custodian a moment to forget.

After more PSG dominance, the best goal of the night came late into the second half. Idrissa Gueye, in total isolation, unleashed a rocket of an effort from range which somehow burst through the gloves of Bizot. The game was effectively finished, but Brest still found time to create opportunities and was rewarded in the 85th minute when Steve Mounié timed a run to perfection, receiving a pass from Faivre inside the box and firing past Navas

That should have set up a climax of unbelievable tension, but PSG again showed why they are chasing a record-equalling tenth Ligue 1 title, breaking after intercepting a Brest corner, from which Ángel Di María lobbed Bizot to settle the affair once and for all.