Kean scores 2 as PSG wins 2-0 at Basaksehir; Neymar injured

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This article was published 28/10/2020 (2166 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ISTANBUL – New signing Moise Kean scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain beat Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday but Neymar limped off with a groin injury.

Neymar left the field after 26 minutes and was replaced by winger Pablo Sarabia.

“I hope it’s not a serious injury and we’ll wait to see the results of his scan tomorrow. It’s his adductor,” PSG coach Thomas Tuchel said. “He had to come off. He wasn’t in real pain but he felt uncomfortable. In a packed schedule, he could be out for a few games. But I’m not sure.”

Having netted twice against Dijon in the French league last weekend, the 20-year-old Kean grabbed his first Champions League goals in the 64th and 79th minutes as PSG weathered some strong attacks to get back on track after losing its opening game at home to Manchester United.

The former Juventus forward, on loan from Premier League club Everton, neatly headed in Mbappe’s corner from the left for his first goal. He then controlled Sarabia’s pass with his right foot before turning to shoot home with his left.

Champions League newcomer Basaksehir sustained a second defeat after losing to Leipzig, but threatened PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas several times.

Right winger Edin Visca went close in the 15th minute and Navas kept out right back Rafael’s shot in the 26th, while Angel Di Maria and Mbappe shot wide in an even first half.

“We can improve the way we play, we need to get better,” Tuchel said. “We knew we would be up against an aggressive side. Maybe we didn’t talk enough in the first half but we improved things in the second, and that’s what won us the match.”

Still, PSG looked vulnerable and was close to conceding again but Navas saved well from Visca in the 57th and he made another stop shortly after Kean’s first goal.

“Towards the end of the first half we suffered. But we played a good game and held out until the end,” Kean said. “We played away, which isn’t easy. We held firm and got the win.”

Only a small number of fans was present in Istanbul because of coronavirus restrictions.

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In Group H’s other game, striker Marcus Rashford made it four goals in two group games as Man United routed Leipzig 5-0 at Old Trafford.

United leads the group with six points, and PSG and Leipzig are on three points each.

United is at Basaksehir, and PSG plays at Leipzig, next Wednesday.

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