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PSG keep alive their unbeaten run after draw at Reims

2024-09-23
REIMS: Substitute Ousmane Dembele`s secondhalf goal earned Paris St-Germain a 1-1 draw at Reims on Saturday to maintain their Ligue 1 unbeaten run.

The home side took an early lead when Junya Ito`s clever cross into the box found his Japanese compatriot Keito Nakamura, who struck a superb finish after the ball bounced off PSG captain Marquinhos in the ninth minute.

Luis Enrique`s side were desperate to equalise and midfielder Lee Kang-in had the clearest chance after Randal Kolo Muani`s incisive cross, but he could not get his effort past goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf.

PSG kept pushing and were finally rewarded in the second half through Dembele, who came on for Desire Doue in the 65th and three minutes later latched on to Joao Neves`s fierce cross to slot home from a tight angle.

`It`s a difficult result and I don`t think we deserved a draw,` Neves said.

`We tried to put things right in the second half. I`m not happy with the result but I`m happy with the way we playe d. I think you have to learn from every game.

The next will be better and we`ll try to get as many points as possible,` he added.

Striker Muani described the match as complicated but said they fought with intensity.

`We were desperate to get back on the scoresheet and win the game... But you have to look on the bright side, we`re still unbeaten, he said.

PSG top the table with 13 points from five games and host Stade Rennais next.

Earlier, M`Bala Nzola`s 96th-minute equaliser earned RC Lens a 1-1 draw at Rennes and preserved their unbeaten start under new boss Will Still. Arnaud Kalimuendo had put Rennes ahead from the penalty spot in the first half.

Elsewhere, Lille and Strasbourg split the points in a thrilling 3-3 draw as Jonathan David`s late penalty spared the hosts from a fifth successive loss.

Lille took a two-goal lead courtesy of a brace from Kosovo winger Edon Zhegrova.

A youthful Strasbourg side replied with three unanswered goals from Andrey Santos, Emanuel Emegha and Sebastian Nanasi to go in front but they failed to hold on for victory.-Agencies