PSG cruise to win at Lille to maintain perfect start

Updated: Sep 1, 2024, 11:20 pm

First-half strikes from Vitinha and Bradley Barcola and a late Randal Kolo Muani goal earned Paris Saint-Germain a 3-1 win at Lille on Sunday to maintain their perfect start to the Ligue 1 season.

Vitinha opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute following a foul by Lille's Alexsandro Ribeiro on Ousmane Dembele.

Barcola doubled the lead just three minutes later, striking at the far post after a counter attack to continue his fine form with his fourth goal of the season.

Lille improved after the break and Edon Zhegrova pulled one back with a long-range effort 12 minutes from time but Kolo Muani sealed the win for the reigning champions with a towering header in added time.

PSG players celebrate after scoring a goal against Lille in Ligue 1.
PSG players celebrate after scoring a goal against Lille in Ligue 1.
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The hosts kept pushing for a late equaliser, but Kolo Muani sealed the win for the reigning champions with a towering header in added time.

PSG reached nine points to lead the standings with an early two-point gap over Marseille, second on goal difference level on points with Nantes, AS Monaco and Lens.

"It was a very important game for us against a team who play at the top of the table," PSG captain Marquinhos told DAZN. "They really push the team here. At 2-0 up they kept pushing forward, they never gave up. It was a good test for us because it was between two teams who are playing in Europe.

"Points like that make all the difference at the end of a league campaign."