PARIS: Lionel Messi scored his first Ligue 1 goal as Paris St Germain opened a 12-point lead at the top despite playing almost half an hour with 10 men in a 3-1 home win against Nantes on Saturday.

Messi scored with a curled left-footer from outside the box three minutes from time, adding to Dennis Appiah’s own goal after Randal Kolo Muani cancelled out Kylian Mbappe’s first-half opener.

The result left PSG, who had goalkeeper Keylor Navas sent off in the 65th minute, with 37 points from 14 games while Nantes are 11th on 18 points.

Stade Rennais moved into provisional second spot on 25 points after goals by Martin Terrier and Lovro Majer gave them a 2-0 home win over Montpellier.

Messi has scored three goals in the Champions League since joining the capital club from Barcelona during the close season but he had not found the back of the net in his five previous appearances in Ligue 1.

I’m happy with this first goal, I really wanted it. I had several chances before in this match and in the previous matches,” said Messi. “I am very happy with this first goal in the league. I had chances but I didn’t convert them. I am very happy.”

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2021