Lionel Messi struck his first goal in Ligue 1 on Saturday as Paris Saint-Germain overcame a red card for goalkeeper Keylor Navas to defeat Nantes 3-1.
Kylian Mbappe carried on his prolific goalscoring run with an early opener at the Parc des Princes, but Randal Kolo Muani equalized for Nantes in the second half after Navas was sent off.
A freak own goal by Dennis Appiah put PSG back in front with 10 minutes left before Messi wrapped up the 12th win in 14 league games this season ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to Manchester City.
The Argentine has scored three times for PSG in as many games in Europe but had yet to open his account in the French top flight after five appearances.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side increased their lead at the top of the table to 12 points over Rennes, who moved into second place with a 2-0 victory over Montpellier.
Messi missed PSG’s past two games before the international break through injury but returned to form a fearsome attack alongside Neymar and Mbappe after leading Argentina to a place at the 2022 World Cup.
Nantes had beaten PSG on their last visit to the capital in March, but Mbappe ensured the hosts made an ideal start by redirecting Leandro Paredes’ long-range effort past Alban Lafont.
The France star has scored seven times in his last four outings after netting five goals for his country in World Cup qualifying wins over Kazakhstan and Finland over the past week.
Lafont produced a series of fine saves to keep Nantes in the game, twice thwarting Messi while also denying Neymar and Mbappe with his legs.
ARR
