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Mbappe leads PSG to 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund

Reuters SPORTS
Published September 20,2023
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Kylian Mbappe was on form again as Paris St Germain kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 home victory over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, showing glimpses of what might be under new coach Luis Enrique.

Mbappe opened the scoring with a second-half penalty and Achraf Hakimi doubled the tally with a fine goal as PSG's patience paid off at the Parc des Princes.

It was only the third win in six competitive games this season for the Ligue 1 champions and it gave them some much-needed relief after their first defeat at the weekend as they dutifully applied Enrique's possession game.

PSG top Group F with three points, two ahead of AC Milan and Newcastle, who drew 0-0 earlier on Tuesday.

There was little brilliance from the home side in their first grand outing of the season but PSG were rarely in danger thanks to their domination of the midfield before everything seemed to click after Mbappe coolly buried his penalty four minutes into the second half.

Dortmund had the first clear chance when Donyell Malen found some space in the PSG area, only for his shot to be easily saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

PSG hit back five minutes later when Vitinha, who bossed the midfield in the opening half, hit the woodwork with a fine shot from just outside the area.

The Portuguese had another opportunity after half an hour but his attempt was deflected and went over the bar.

PSG lacked a cutting edge until early in the second half when Ousmane Dembele, after a combination with fullback Hakimi on the right flank, found Mbappe in the area and the French forward's shot was handled by Niklas Suele.

Mbappe converted the resulting penalty to give PSG a deserved lead and net his 11th goal in his last nine Champions League appearances.

Hakimi doubled the advantage in the 58th minute with a delicate chip from the outside of his boot after being superbly set up by Vitinha.

PSG then controlled the final 30 minutes and ended up with a clean sheet as Borussia failed to threaten.