PARIS: Achraf Hakimi scored a debut goal as Paris St Germain began their bid to wrestle back the Ligue 1 title with a 2-1 win at Troyes on Saturday while anticipating the arrival of six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi who appears set to join the French giants.

Promoted Troyes had gone in front inside eight minutes to the delight of their fans at the Stade de l’Aube when Moroccan defender Oualid El Hajjam headed home at a corner.

However, PSG were back level in the 19th minute thanks to a thumping finish by their own Moroccan defender Hakimi, the right-back signed from Inter Milan for a reported 60 million euros ($71 million) last month.

Two minutes later striker Mauro Icardi scored what proved to be the winner, showing good composure and awareness to control a pass from striker Kylian Mbappe and flicking the ball in with the outside of his foot.

Argentine striker Icardi is one of those who may have the most to lose with the possible arrival of Messi, who is now widely expected to move to Paris after the collapse of his new deal with cash-strapped Barcelona.

In the day’s early fixture, Olympique Lyonnais were held to a 1-1 home draw by Brest after substitute Islam Slimani scored with his first touch of the ball to cancel out an Irvin Cardona opener for the visitors.

It was an underwhelming result for a Lyon side who finished fourth last season, just missing out on Champions League qualification before seeing star player Memphis Depay leave for Barcelona when his contract expired.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2021