The match ends with that early goal from Messi proving the difference despite a second half featuring a plethora of chances against Lyon.
The second 45 minutes was a much more end-to-end affair than the first, with both sides having chances that tested each goalkeeper.
Lyon attacked in plenty of numbers, but they couldn’t quite find that final clinical pass or finish to bring the game level,
While Lopes was forced into several superb saves late as PSG pushed for a second.
Lyon’s third straight defeat couldn’t be avoided in the end, while a fourth consecutive victory in the competition sends PSG back to the top of Ligue 1.
Starting lineup:
LYON (4-4-2): Anthony Lopes;
Malo Gusto, Thiago Mendes, Castello Lukeba, Nicolas Tagliafico;
Mateus Tete, Corentin Tolisso, Maxence Caqueret, Karl Toko Ekambi;
Moussa Dembele, Alexandre Lacazette.
LYON SUBS: Remy Riou, Sinaly Diomande, Henrique, Romain Faivre, Rayan Cherki, Damien da Silva, Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Johann Lepenant, Bradley Barcola.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (3-4-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma;
Sergio Ramos, Marquinhos, Danilo Pereira;
Achraf Hakimi, Fabian Ruiz, Marco Verratti, Nuno Mendes;
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN SUBS: Keylor Navas, Juan Bernat, Vitinha, Pablo Sarabia, Nordi Mukiele, Carlos Soler, El Chadaille Bitshiabu, Warren Zaire-Emery, Hugo Ekitike.
Goal:
GOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!! That didn’t take long!!! Messi engages several Lyon defenders before finding Neymar, who tees up Messi to shoot with a return pass. He obliges, stroking the ball elegantly into the bottom corner, and it beats Lopes to send PSG into a 1-0 lead after just five minutes!
So, what’s next?
Lyon remains sixth and has now not won half of their eight games.
They need to turn their form around to fight for a European spot this season.
The form is no such worry for PSG, who overtake Marseille to return to the summit of the Ligue 1 table.
While only on top by two points, their goal difference of +22 is double that of Marseille, an ominous sign at this early stage.
