PSG held as Kvaratskhelia makes debut

Published January 27, 2025
PARIS: Reims’ Junya Ito falls under a challenge from Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes (not pictured) during their Ligue 1 match at Parc des Princes.—AFP
PARIS: Reims’ Junya Ito falls under a challenge from Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes (not pictured) during their Ligue 1 match at Parc des Princes.—AFP

PARIS: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made his Paris Saint-Germain debut on Saturday and set up a goal for Ousmane Dembele, but the Ligue 1 leaders were held to a 1-1 draw by Reims.

The in-form Dembele put PSG ahead at the Parc des Princes, only for Keito Nakamura to level soon after.

Kvaratskhelia then played a key part in setting up the opener two minutes after the interval, cutting in from the left and playing a one-two before teeing up Dembele to score with a deflected shot.

However, Nakamura finished off a fine move to bring Reims level nine minutes later and there was no further scoring.

Monaco climbed back up to third after their 3-2 win at home to struggling Rennes preceded a 2-1 defeat for Lille at Strasbourg.

In the principality, Monaco saw off Rennes thanks to goals by Maghnes Akliouche, Mika Biereth and Aleksandr Golovin.

Akliouche lit up the occasion at the Stade Louis II by opening the scoring with a breathtaking overhead kick after quarter of an hour.

Mahamadou Nagida equalised for Rennes in first-half stoppage time.

Danish striker Biereth restored Monaco’s lead early in the second half.

Akliouche then set up Golovin for Monaco’s third on 56 minutes, although they were forced to hang on after Amine Gouiri got another goal back for Rennes.

Osame Sahraoui gave Lille the lead in Strasbourg, but Chelsea loanee Andrey Santos equalised 20 minutes from time and Emanuel Emegha got what proved to be the winner shortly after for the hosts, who are unbeaten in eight.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2025

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