Lionel Messi and PSG were held in check by Club Brugge © AFP / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD
Paris (AFP), Sep 15 – Lionel Messi made his first Paris Saint-Germain start in a 1-1 draw at Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday, while last season’s runners-up Manchester City and Liverpool won high-scoring thrillers.
Real Madrid, the record 13-time European champions, left it late to beat Inter Milan at the San Siro in a section topped by Moldovan debutants Sheriff Tiraspol after the first round of group stage matches.
Argentine star Messi lined up with both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe for the first time, after being limited to just 24 minutes in a PSG shirt since his shock exit from Barcelona.
Ander Herrera, who scored twice in the weekend win over Clermont, gave PSG the lead by steering in Mbappe’s cross on 15 minutes, but Brugge soon levelled through Hans Vanaken.
Messi curled against the bar from the corner of the area but PSG then lost Mbappe to injury and had to settle for a point against a team viewed as makeweights in a demanding Group A.
“We need time for them to get to know each other,” PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino said of his all-star attack.
“We have to improve and find the right balance, I said that before, but we must stay calm. I’m happy with how Messi played, his desire and his attitude, and the way he’s adjusting.”
Pep Guardiola’s City, beaten 1-0 by Chelsea in May’s final in Porto, overcame a hat-trick from Christopher Nkunku to beat RB Leipzig 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium.
Nathan Ake headed City ahead from a corner and Nordi Mukiele’s own goal doubled their advantage, but Nkunku nodded in to get Leipzig back in the game.
Riyad Mahrez added a third with a penalty before half-time only for Nkunku to head in again early in the second period.
Jack Grealish celebrates scoring his first Champions League goal for Manchester City © AFP / Oli SCARFF
Jack Grealish notched his first Champions League goal following his British record £100 million ($136 million) signing, with Nkunku completing his treble before Joao Cancelo and Gabriel Jesus strikes wrapped up a wild victory for City.
Leipzig finished with 10 men after former City player Angelino was sent off for a second booking.
“I loved it. I’ve been waiting a while. The past few weeks, I couldn’t wait for this game. It’s a great night,” Grealish told BT Sport.
“It was one of those games. It had absolutely everything.”
– Henderson stars for Liverpool –
Jordan Henderson (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League 1st round Group B football match between Liverpool and AC Milan at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on September 15, 2021. © AFP / Paul ELLIS
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson hit the winner for Jurgen Klopp’s side as they came from behind to defeat Milan 3-2 at Anfield in a meeting of two clubs who have combined for 13 European Cups.
Fikayo Tomori inadvertently deflected in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s effort to put Liverpool in front but Mohamed Salah saw his penalty saved by Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
The momentum swung sharply in Milan’s favour as Ante Rebic and Brahim Diaz struck twice in as many minutes before the break.
Salah atoned with an equaliser on 49 minutes that was initially discounted for offside before Henderson drove in on the half-volley from the edge of the box.
“It is a tough group. That is why it is important we won this game. It does not decide anything but it gave us a winning start,” Klopp told BT Sport.
In the other Group B game, Spanish champions Atletico Madrid drew 0-0 at home to Porto, who were frustrated by a decision to disallow Mehdi Taremi’s late goal.
Rodrygo snatched victory for Real as he flicked in with a minute to play in Milan, stunning Inter who had dominated much of the game and forced Thibaut Courtois into several saves.
Newcomers Sheriff defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 thanks to goals from Mali international Adama Traore and Guinean forward Momo Yansane.
Sheriff, from a tiny pro-Russian separatist region in Moldova, are the first club from the ex-Soviet country to reach the group stage of the Champions League.
England midfielder Jude Bellingham (C) shone for Dortmund in their win at Besiktas © AFP / OZAN KOSE
England midfielder Jude Bellingham scored one goal and set up Erling Haaland for Borussia Dortmund’s second in a 2-1 win away to Turkish champions Besiktas.
Javi Montero headed in a consolation for Besiktas in stoppage time.
Ajax powered to the top of Group D as Ivorian striker Sebastien Haller bagged four goals in a 5-1 demolition of Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon.
Steven Berghuis added the other goal for the four-time European champions with Paulinho grabbing a consolation for the hosts.
