Mbappe scores twice on Parc des Princes return, Marseille struggles in French league

By: The Associated Press Posted: 2:15 PM CDT Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023 Last Modified: 4:31 PM CDT Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023

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PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain returned to winning ways and Kylian Mbappe returned to the Parc des Princes with a bang on Saturday.

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PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain returned to winning ways and Kylian Mbappe returned to the Parc des Princes with a bang on Saturday.

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This article was published 26/08/2023 (1135 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain returned to winning ways and Kylian Mbappe returned to the Parc des Princes with a bang on Saturday.

Playing for the first time this season at PSG’s home stadium following his contract standoff with the club, there was no ill feeling from the crowd. Mbappe received an ovation from supporters during the teams presentation.

He then gave them a lot to cheer about by scoring twice in the 3-1 win over last season’s French league runner-up Lens.

Marseille's Ismaila Sarr controls the ball during the French League One soccer match between Marseille and Brest at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille, France, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Because of his dispute, Mbappe was not included in the squad when PSG began the defense of its league title with a draw at home this month. In the next game, the France captain started on the bench in a 1-1 draw at Toulouse, where he was also on the scoresheet.

Mbappe’s first home goal of the season came after Marco Asensio scored his first for PSG. Asensio, who joined this summer after his contract with Real Madrid expired, broke the deadlock just before halftime at the end of a rapid and well-built counterattack.

Following a one-two between Mbappe and Vitinha, Asensio was set up by Warren Zaire-Emery. The Spanish forward controlled the ball then curled his shot with his left foot past goalkeeper Brice Samba.

PSG played enthralling football throughout the second half against a gritty Lens side which developed an offensive game but also left many spaces for the host to exploit.

Mbappe doubled the team lead in the 52nd from Lucas Hernandez’s pass on the edge of the box, unleashing an instant strike that left Samba no chance. It was his 150th league goal with PSG. Mbappe capped the win in the 90th with a shot from inside the box that took two deflections before crossing the line.

Morgan Guilavogui pulled one back for Lens in added time.

Earlier, Marseille moved level on points with Monaco at the top of the standings after laboring to a 2-0 home win against Brest.

Monaco leads Marseille on goal difference with PSG two points behind in fourth place. Lens has just one point from three matches.

PSG's Manuel Ugarte, left, and Lens' Adrien Thomasson challenge for the ball during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Lens at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Chancel Mbemba headed home from close range at the far post but Marseille struggled to create more attacks.

Marseille managed just one shot on target at the hour mark but ultimately found an edge when Ismaila Sarr scored his first goal in a Marseille shirt from the rebound after goalkeeper Marco Bizot failed to clear a cross.

Brest travelled to Marseille with confidence after winning its opening two games for the first time in the club’s history.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer