Kylian Mbappe rescued PSG once again with a 90th minute goal that gave the defending French champions a 2-1 win at relegation-threatened Brest in the first match after they were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
Mbappe, the Ligue 1 joint top scorer, was lucky to still be on the field after he kicked out twice at a Brest player minutes earlier, but the officials opted to give him a yellow card as the VAR did not recommend a video review.
Brest arguably deserved the draw based on the balance of play in the match, standing toe-to-toe with a more talented side and exchanging first-half goals. But a clinical PSG counterattack saw Mbappe charging hard at the Brest goalkeeper after just two passes. He easily rounded the ‘keeper to net the winner.
The three points helped PSG to extend their lead atop the table to 11 points with second-place Marseille in action on Sunday. There are 11 matches remaining in PSG’s Ligue 1 season as they chase their 11th league title — the only major trophy available to win for the star-studded side.
MORE: Updated Ligue 1 top scorers
Brest vs PSG final score
1H | 2H | Final | |
Brest | 1 | 0 | 1 |
PSG | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Goals:
PSG — Carlos Soler — 37th min.
BRE — Franck Honorat (Romain Del Castillo) — 44th min.
PSG — Kylian Mbappe (Lionel Messi) — 90th min.
Lineups:
Brest (4-3-3): 40-Bizot (GK) — 99-Fadiga (23-Herelle, 82′), 4-Dari, 3-Brassier, 2-Duverne — 7-Belkebla, 20-Lees-Melou, 8-Magnetti — 9-Honorat, 15-Mounie (22-Le Douaron, 67′), 10-Del Castillo (37-Lemarechal,76′).
PSG (4-3-3, right to left): 99-Donnarumma (GK) — 29-Pembele (14-Bernat, 75′), 4-Ramos, 15-Danilo, 25-Mendes — 33-Zaire-Emery (18-Sanches, 89′), 6-Verratti, 8-Ruiz (17-Vitinha, 75′) — 30-Messi, 7-Mbappe, 28-Soler (44-Ekitike, 81′)
Did Mbappe deserve a red card?
PSG once again showed just how dependent they are on Mbappe. He’s is the one PSG player who’s capable of causing opposing defenders to panic with his dribbling, and penetrating a defensive block with his accelerations.
(It was clear again on this day that Lionel Messi just doesn’t have those same tools any more and he’s more likely to make the difference on a set piece, on a quick decision around the box, or with his passing — as he did on the Mbappe goal.)
But Mbappe arguably shouldn’t have been on the field when it came time for his 90th-minute sprint and goal. Moments earlier he kicked Brest’s Haris Belkebla from behind, and then when Belkebla held on to Mbappe’s leg from the ground, Mbappe kicked out again in frustration.
Premier coup totalement volontaire et après il remet un coup de pied avant que le Brestois se relève
Carton rouge ? Bien sûr que non il s’appelle Kylian Mbappé pic.twitter.com/kPCMDMsHtd
— َ (@Alex_packm) March 11, 2023
It’s the latter kick-out that should have earned Mbappe a straight red card. Instead, the referee gave Mbappe a yellow for his first kick — a clear reckless foul — and also showed a yellow to Belkebla for grabbing Mbappe’s leg.
“I would love to know if everyone would have the same punishment for that [incident],” said Brest captain Pierre Lees-Melou.
PSG underwhelming again in victory
The Parisian side continue to get away with these performances in Ligue 1 and still win, but this same type of lacklustre showing left them with two shutout losses to a quality Bayern Munich side in the Champions League.
What’s clear by now is that PSG is a team in desperate need of new players who are not just technically proficient — Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Juan Bernat, and Carlos Soler are nice players with the ball at their feet, but they’re complementary pieces. PSG doesn’t pack much power, aggression, or team speed — Mbappe, Nuno Mendes, and Achraf Hakimi are the only real difference makers on the run. For that reason they can be bossed around in some games.
For long stretches of Saturday’s match, Brest set the tone, playing it at their preferred pace. PSG looked content to wait until the opportune moment came for their stars to attack, which it inevitably did. But in between those attacking spurts, PSG were passive, unable to take over the reins of the game. And that’s what did them in during this season’s Champions League — in the group stage and knockouts.
Career assist No. 300 for Messi
Messi is still one goal short of 800 for his career (club and national team), but he hit another milestone on the game-winner, registering his 300th club assist.
The Mbappe goal also left the French striker tied with Edinson Cavani for most career Ligue 1 goals (138) by a PSG player, and it was PSG’s 3000th goal in Ligue 1.
300 club assists for Messi! 🐐🇦🇷
🅰️ 1 assist
👟 6 key passes
😎 4/5 successful dribbles
🤯 Assists leader of the @Ligue1_ENG with 13@PSG_English | #SB29PSG 1️⃣-2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/soVxvefh4P— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 11, 2023
Brest vs PSG live updates, highlights from Ligue 1
Final: Brest 1-2 PSG
90th min.: Goal PSG! Kylian Mbappe on the break. Leo Messi with the first-time assist to Mbappe, who beats the offside trap. And the Frenchman easily rounds the ‘keeper to score. It was tight, but it looks like the goal will stand.
¡MBAPPÉ SALVA AL PSG! 🤩🐢
El capitán y máximo goleador en la historia del equipo le da el triunfo en el 90+2′ 🔥💪
Stade de Brest 1️⃣ -2️⃣ PSG#Ligue1 🇫🇷 #SB29PSG pic.twitter.com/0CPRUKQtjE
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) March 11, 2023
That was the 300th assist in Messi’s club career, and the goal also sent Mbappe into a tie at the top of the Ligue 1 Golden Boot with Jonathan David.
85th min.: Mbappe risks a red card! He gets into an on-field tussle for the ball with Brest’s Haris Belkebla and Mbappe kicks out. But the referee gives a yellow to both players and leaves it at that. No intervention from the VAR.
— Football Duels (@Footy_Duels) March 11, 2023
80th min.: SUB PSG, Brest. Hugo Ekitike on for PSG’s Carlos Soler. The visitors are now throwing numbers forward. Brest right-back Noah Fadiga is injured and Christophe Herelle is on for him. Herelle is a centre-back, but can fill in at right-back.
76th min.: SUBS PSG, Brest. Both clubs make subs. PSG go to three defenders in the back as they take off right-back Timothee Pembele and Fabian Ruiz as Juan Bernat and Vitinha come on. Bernat is now the left wingback, while Nuno Mendes becomes a left winger.
70th min.: Chance PSG! Mbappe feeds left-back Nuno Mendes who goes into the box, loses a defender with a nasty cutback, and fires on goal. But the Brest goalkeeper punches away.
⚡ Crochet, Nuno Mendes. pic.twitter.com/WUMi0ywb19
— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) March 11, 2023
67th min.: SUB Brest. Jeremy Le Douaron takes over at centre-forward in place of Steve Mounie. Le Douaron is Brest’s top scorer (six goals).
62nd min.: Chance PSG! Kylian Mbappe has a clear look at goal, but he goes with his right instead of his left and he can’t get it on frame.
— Mbappe Out Of Context 🇫🇷 (@MbappeOOC) March 11, 2023
I wish Mbappe would have passed the ball to Messi in that situation.. pic.twitter.com/NUL5LzWVBb
— Jan (@FutbolJan10) March 11, 2023
57th min.: Chance Brest! A set-piece header into the PSG box is nodded down just wide of the goal. Goalkeeper Gigi Donnarumma was right there, but it was still too close for comfort for PSG.
55th min.: Chance PSG! It’s Messi with a quick control and shot, but it’s off the mark. He may not be influential, but Messi can make something happen out of nothing.
49th min.: More smoke to start the half. Meanwhile, Brest defender Achraf Dari sends an arm into Kylian Mbappe’s throat which sends the French star to the ground. He’s back up as the smoke clears.
En WWE on appelle ça un Coup de la corde à linge #SB29PSG #PSG @KMbappe pic.twitter.com/Y7UOvPR6PI
— Free Ligue 1 (@FreeLigue1) March 11, 2023
— PSG COMMUNITY (@psgcommunity_) March 11, 2023
46th min.: Second half is underway. No changes on either side.
Halftime: Brest 1-1 PSG
Halftime: That was a fairly even first half and the score is a just reflection of the action on the field. PSG looked like they were always more likely to score, but Brest were hanging around and looked like they could do damage in transition.
Kylian Mbappe shows he has the ability to cause issues for Brest, and PSG need him to make things happen. Lionel Messi, on the other hand, is not on his game and doesn’t look threatening at all. After his poor showing against Bayern Munich, we’ll see how long he’ll be given a pass in Paris.
45th min.: Match delay. Brest supporters light up the flares and the smoke engulfs the field. The referee has to halt play and wait for it to clear before restarting.
Brest vs. PSG was shortly paused due to smoke on the field after Brest’s equalizer. 💀 pic.twitter.com/AD4gja4b9Q
— BeksFCB (@Joshua_Ubeku) March 11, 2023
44th min.: Goal Brest! A long ball over the top by Del Castillo finds the wily Franck Honorat who holds off two defenders with his run and blasts a shot past PSG ‘keeper Donnarumma. What a well-executed goal.
Watch in USA:
BREST STUN PSG AND EQUALIZE THE GAME 😱
1-1
🍟 Brest vs. PSG 🇫🇷
📺 LIVE NOW on beIN SPORTS #SB29PSG #Ligue1 pic.twitter.com/HPv6oTu4SY— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) March 11, 2023
Watch in UK:
Not behind for long 👀
Franck Honorat holds his nerve to slot home the equaliser for Brest against PSG! pic.twitter.com/LHx0H4cZF7
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 11, 2023
37th min.: Goal PSG! Carlos Soler with the vicious follow-up shot after the Brest goalkeeper gives up an easy rebound on a Kylian Mbappe blast from distance. Soler followed that Mbappe shot all the way and he was there to put home the loose ball.
Watch in USA:
GOAAAL! PSG take the lead 🤩🥳
0-1
🍟 Brest vs. PSG 🇫🇷
📺 LIVE NOW on beIN SPORTS #SB29PSG #Ligue1 pic.twitter.com/bGnzPzQZJp— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) March 11, 2023
Watch in UK:
PSG lead on the road 🚩
A costly goalkeeping error is pounced upon by Carlos Soler… pic.twitter.com/I9rRQcO8RX
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 11, 2023
35th min.: Brest want penalty! Duverne goes down in the PSG box on a challenge from behind by Warren Zaire-Emery, but the left-back let himself go. The referee doesn’t call it.
27th min.: Chance PSG! A quick one-touch combination between Carlos Soler and Mbappe in the box, and Mbappe takes a diagonal shot that finishes just wide. When PSG accelerate in the box, they’re a threat.
25th min.: Chance Brest! When Brest attack they’re doing it down PSG’s right flank where Timothee Pembele and Sergio Ramos are defending. On this instance Ramos makes a big defensive clearance on the cross from the left.
Superbe tacle défensif de Sergio Ramos !#Ligue1UberEats | #SB29PSG pic.twitter.com/i9cj2S1jTT
— Vibes Foot (@VibesFoot) March 11, 2023
14th min.: Chance PSG! It looks like shooting practice for PSG, who easily get in and around the Brest box. But the shots they’ve been firing have found a Brest body. A Marco Verratti shot for PSG was deflected for a corner.
11th min.: PSG hit the woodwork! Messi incredibly whiffs on a shot, buthe touches the ball to Carlos Soler, whose curling shot is saved off the right post by Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot.
— Big Chance Missed (@ChanceMissed) March 11, 2023
😳 Oh l’arrêt fou de Bizot sur la frappe de Soler ! (12e, 0-0)https://t.co/ONpejVqbdY pic.twitter.com/MBi6IXvz43
— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) March 11, 2023
9th min.: Meanwhile, this is what PSG manager Christophe Galtier is contending with in the locker room. It doesn’t bode well for his continuity.
A number of players at PSG don’t respect Christophe Galtier & have nicknamed him the “PE teacher,” according to @Romain_Molina.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) March 11, 2023
4th min.: PSG want a penalty! Messi sends Mbappe in behind, and the French star’s left-footed shot is blocked by the Brest defender. The ball then caroms off the defender’s arm and Mbappe wants a penalty, but that would have been harsh. Although his arm was extended, the defender was in his natural motion.
⏱️ 5′
👊 @KMbappe #Ligue1 I #SB29PSG pic.twitter.com/AfnpMaxyE9
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) March 11, 2023
1st min.: PSG kick off. We’ll see what kind of PSG shows up.
2 mins from kickoff: The captains meet for the coin toss. Kylian Mbappe is wearing the armband for PSG, while Pierre Lees-Melou is donning it for the home team.
5 mins from kickoff: Teams are taking the field. Kylian Mbappe is all smiles in chatting with the mascot. PSG supporters are hoping there isn’t a lingering hangover from the Champions League elimination.
20 mins from kickoff: Only a short time remaining before kickoff at the Stade Francis-Le Ble.
📢 l’acclamation pour les Brestois, la bronca pour le Parisiens à leur entrée sur la pelouse #SB29 #SB29PSG pic.twitter.com/j7EJErD6iY
— Nicolas Blanzat (@nblanzat) March 11, 2023
45 mins from kickoff: Lineups are out.
Le 1⃣1⃣ de départ ! 📋🔴🔵#SB29PSG pic.twitter.com/KR9IqzjrWI
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) March 11, 2023
Et voici le 𝗫𝗜 brestois pour affronter le @PSG_inside ! 👇#SB29PSG | 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/jys85gZ57Q
— Stade Brestois 29 (@SB29) March 11, 2023
50 mins from kickoff: All eyes will be on Lionel Messi, who is one goal away from 800 for his career, as he chases Cristiano Ronaldo for the men’s record for most goals scored all-time.
60 mins from kickoff: PSG will be in their away kit for the trip to Brest:
PSG will wear the away kit today vs Brest. 👕✅ pic.twitter.com/gP7y5oMjZE
— PSG Report (@PSG_Report) March 11, 2023
MORE: Neymar’s season is over after undergoing ankle surgery
Brest vs PSG lineups
Brest’s Mahdi Camara is still serving a two-match suspension, and fellow midfielder Mathias Pereira-Lage is still not ready to be part of the squad after resuming training in midweek. Right-back Kenny Lala is out injured, leaving the duty of tracking Kylian Mbappe to Noah Fadiga. Loic Remy has been a long-term injury absence since he was acquired in January.
Brest starting lineup (4-3-3): 40-Marco Bizot (GK) — 99-Noah Fadiga, 4-Achraf Dari, 3-Lilian Brassier, 2-Jean-Kevin Duverne — 7-Haris Belkebla, 20-Pierre Lees-Melou, 8-Hugo Magnetti — 9-Franck Honorat, 15-Steve Mounie, 10-Romain Del Castillo.
Brest subs (9): 1-Joaquin Blazquez (GK), 5-Brendan Chardonnet, 23-Christophe Herelle, 28-Bradley Locko, 18-Karamoko Dembele, 37-Felix Lemarechal, 97-Tairyk Arconte, 17-Alberth Elis, 22-Jeremy Le Douaron
PSG manager Christophe Galtier has to navigate injuries to Neymar, whose season is over, and to Achraf Hakimi, Presnel Kimpembe, Marquinhos, and Nordi Mukiele in defense. Instead of teenage centre-back El Chadaille Bitshiabu, it’s 20-year-old right-back Timothee Pembele getting the start alongside Sergio Ramos and Danilo.
PSG starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 99-Gigi Donnarumma (GK) — 29-Timothee Pembele, 4-Sergio Ramos, 15-Danilo Pereira, 25-Nuno Mendes — 33-Warren Zaire-Emery, 6-Marco Verratti, 8-Fabian Ruiz — 30-Lionel Messi, 7-Kylian Mbappe, 28-Carlos Soler
PSG subs (8): 16-Sergio Rico (GK), 90-Alexandre Letellier (GK), 31-El Chadaille Bitshiabu, 14-Juan Bernat, 17-Vitinha, 18-Renato Sanches, 35-Ismael Gharbi, 44-Hugo Ekitike.
MORE: Everything you wanted to know about Kylian Mbappe
Brest vs PSG live stream, TV channel
TV channel | Streaming | |
---|---|---|
USA | beIN Sports, beIN Sports en Espanol | fuboTV, beIN Sports Connect |
Canada | beIN Sports, beIN Sports en Espanol | fuboTV, beIN Sports Connect |
UK | BT Sport 3 | BT Sport |
Australia | beIN Sports 3 | beIN Sports Connect, Kayo Sports |
New Zealand | Sky Sport 7 beIN Sports | beIN Sports Connect |
India | Sports18 | — |
Hong Kong | beIN Sports 2 | beIN Sports Connect, M Plus Live, Now Player |
Malaysia | — | — |
Singapore | — | — |
UK: Saturday’s match between PSG and Brest from western France will be broadcast in the United Kingdom by Ligue 1 rightsholders BT Sport.
USA: Ligue 1 matches in the United States are carried by beIN Sports, with a Spanish-language broadcast available on beIN Sports en Espanol. Both channels are available to stream via fuboTV, which offers a free trial for new users.
Canada: As in the USA, Ligue 1 matches in Canada are carried by beIN Sports, with a Spanish-language broadcast available on beIN Sports en Espanol. Both channels are available to stream via fuboTV Canada.
Australia: Australia’s sole broadcaster for Ligue 1 is also beIN Sports, with streaming available on beIN Sports Connect (with valid login credentials), or on Kayo Sports.