Icardi saves PSG from Lyon upset as Messi taken off on home debut
The former Barcelona player was replaced on 75 minutes with the score at 1-1
An Argentina forward rescued Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday but it wasn't Lionel Messi. On Messi's home debut for his new club, he was taken off on 75 minutes and watched from the bench as Mauro Icardi headed home a 93rd minute winner against Lyon as PSG maintained their 100 percent record in Ligue 1.
PSG had been in danger of losing to Lyon. For the second time in a week, Mauricio Pochettino was able to name a front three that featured Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. For the second time in a week, following the 1-1 draw with Club Brugge, it looked like PSG would fail to win the game.
Messi came close to opening the scoring in the first half. He was twice denied by Anthony Lopes and later hit the bar with a free-kick. After 45 minutes in Paris, it was still goalless.
Those who had come to see a masterclass from PSG's new frontline were not getting what they paid for. Instead, they saw Lyon take the lead in the second half when Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta opened the scoring for the visitors in the 54th minute.
That goal served to wake up PSG's Brazilian. Neymar won and scored a penalty, taking the spot kick ahead of Messi and Mbappe, to level the score 12 minutes later.
However, Messi wasn't having as much luck. And his time was up in the 75th minute when Pochettino decided to take him off as part of a tactical switch. Right-back Achraf Hakimi replaced him. Messi was not impressed with the change and looked angry as he sat on the sidelines watching the conclusion of the game.
It looked like Pochettino's changes would have no effect but with the clock ticking, substitute Icardi rose highest to score a dramatic winner for PSG which sealed the three points.
That's now six games and six wins for PSG in Ligue 1 without really having to defer to Messi. He came on when the game was already won for his debut against Reims, didn't feature against Clermont and didn't contribute against Lyon.
PSG return to league action on Wednesday when they travel to Metz.
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