PSG vs. Juventus score: Kylian Mbappe brace enough to stave off second-half Juve push in Champions League opener

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Kylian Mbappe’s first-half double was just barely enough to earn PSG all three points as the Parisians staved off a second-half comeback effort from visiting Juventus in their Champions League group stage opener.

The Italian side was poor throughout the first 45 minutes, with Mbappe and Neymar breaching their defense on multiple occasions, and likewise unable to find a way through on Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal. The introduction of Weston McKennie after the break, however, changed the game in Juve’s favor and sparked a second-half push.

McKennie pulled Juventus one back early in the second half, rising high to meet a corner and head the visitors within one, but that was all they would get as Donnarumma stood tall on a number of occasions.

Both sides had critical moments in the second half to swing the momentum in their favor, but both sides were turned away by solid goalkeeping on either end. Ultimately, PSG hung on to earn the three points and brush aside the Juventus push.

The Sporting News followed the match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened.

PSG vs. Juventus final score

  1H 2H Final
PSG 2 0 2
Juventus 0 1 1

Goals:
5th min — PSG — Kylian Mbappe
22nd min — PSG — Kylian Mbappe
53rd min — JUV — Weston McKennie

PSG vs. Juventus post-match analysis

PSG see second-half mental lapses creep in again

Throughout the last few years as they search for the European glory they so desperately crave, PSG have been toppled in the second-half on multiple occasions. Late comebacks have been their downfall, and already, in just the first group stage match, the Parisians showed signs of weakness after the break.

So incisive were Mbappe and Neymar in the opening 45 minutes that their second-half decline was noticable. Both had chances after the break, but neither produced the same cutting edge they showed in the first half and throughout the start of the season. Both saw wayward shots either fly wildly off their feet or fizz directly at Juve goalkeeper Mattia Perin, unable to replicate the precision displayed earlier.

Defensively, the lapses crept in as well. Nordi Mukiele got away with a particularly ugly mistake that saw him whiff on a clearance that gifted Juventus a chance, while young midfielder Vitinha faded after halftime and allowed Juventus to find a way through. Christophe Galtier will know that PSG have fallen victim to similar errors that have cost the jobs of those before him, which will motivate him to find a solution to the team’s slow mental decline through Champions League games.

Weston McKennie changes the game

Introduced at the break for yellow-carded midfielder Fabio Miretti, the American was a key contributor towards the second-half Juventus resurgence.

Coming off the bench, McKennie was a two-way force, completing 19/21 passes and losing possession just seven times in 32 touches, a solid ratio for a midfield player looking to spark a two-goal comeback. His goal was a trademark McKennie header, beating two defenders badly in the air — Kimpembe and Nuno were both left utterly baffled by McKennie’s leap.

His influence is a very positive sign for McKennie moving forward as he looks to win minutes in a crowded Juventus midfield, even in the absence of Paul Pogba. Minutes will be critical to McKennie’s form heading into the World Cup this winter, and an effective 45 minutes like this will do him a world of good.

Marco Verratti deserves more credit as one of the world’s best midfielders

PSG’s Italian maestro Marco Verratti can earn public plaudits while on international duty as he provides a spark for his country, but at PSG, he’s often drowned out by others in the star-studded squad.

There was no drowning Verratti out today, even as Mbappe and Neymar starred up front. The PSG midfielder was simply sensational — again — completing 87 minutes of nearly mistake-free football. His only blemish was the yellow card he picked up, per usual, for pushing Rabiot.

Otherwise, Verratti’s performance was other-worldly. He touched the ball 131 times, losing possession just an astonishing five times. He won six tackles and was successful on 11 of his 14 ground duels. It was a truly masterful performance for Verratti, which is becoming a regular occurrence, even if it’s not talked about enough worldwide.

PSG vs. Juventus live updates, highlights, commentary

FULL-TIME: PSG 2-1 Juventus

An exciting match comes to an end. It seemed, after the first 45 minutes, that it would be a comprehensive victory for the hosts in Paris, but Juventus made them work for it in the second half.

Both sides should have scored a few more in the second half, but both goalkeepers stood tall. It’s three well-earned points for PSG, while Juventus will go home to Turin rueing their misses and mistakes.

89th min: Chance, PSG! What a miss by Neymar! A deflection in the Juventus penalty area falls to Neymar at the top of the six-yard box, and the Brazilian unleashes a blistering volley. Unfortunately for him, it’s driven right at Mattia Perin, who is able to keep it out with a wonderful kick save. Will that let Juve back in?

Then moments later, Mbappe has an equally poor miss! Neymar weaves through the Juve midfield and unlocks the defense with a through-ball to Mbappe, but the Frenchman similarly drives his effort right at Perin, trying to pick out the top corner but failing to do so. How have they only scored two?

81st min: Chance, Juventus! A big mistake from Mukiele is let off! The new summer arrival whiffs as he tries to clear a cross, and that allows Kostic to feed Locatelli arriving in the six-yard box. Donnarumma stands tall, however, and the PSG defense frantically clears the chance. It’s a big opportunity gone by for Juve, who will have wished to take advantage of the defensive error.

Minutes later, Lionel Messi is withdrawn, making way for the debut of PSG’s new Deadline Day signing Carlos Soler. Messi had a good match, and while it didn’t show on paper, he drew a ton of attention which allowed space for Neymar and Mbappe.

78th min: A double change for Galtier and PSG as Nordi Mukiele and Danilo (the PSG one) come on for Achraf Hakimi and Vitinha respectively, both like-for-like changes.

72nd min: Parc des Princes crowd whistles in support of PSG’s appeals for a penalty as Danilo awkwardly looks to clear a cross into the Juve box. The Parisians want a handball, which Bremer gives an emphatic finger wag. The referee doesn’t acquiesce to the shouts, but VAR will surely have a look.

Danilo then moments later earns a yellow card for putting his hands all over Mbappe’s face on the flank. A replay finally arrives to acquit Danilo of his earlier alleged crimes, showing no handball on the earlier play. It was an ugly clearance, the header driven straight into the ground, but at least it was legal.

65th min: Marco Verratti, who’s had an absolutely incredible match, earns a yellow card for a push in the back of Rabiot. He’s known for picking up cautions, but has been immense for PSG in the Champions League opener.

Juventus make another substitution, taking off Milik for midfielder Manuel Locatelli. Allegri sees a need for packing the midfield, hoping to juice the build-up in support of Vlahovic.

64th min: Chance, PSG! You can’t keep that attacking trio of PSG down for long! Brilliant build-up from Neymar and Messi, with the former back-heeling a pass to Messi who one-touches it to spring Mbappe. The Frenchman again scuffs the shot, sending it skittering just wide of the far post.

56th min: Chance, Juventus! BIG SAVE DONNARUMMA TO KEEP THE MATCH LEVEL! Dusan Vlahovic whips a header in at a great angle, but Donnarumma is there diving down to his right to get a hand on the shot. It’s a stunning save, and suddenly Juventus are right on the doorstep of a level match.

53rd min: GOAL, JUVENTUS! The Italians are back in it! With a corner, substitute McKennie rises highest over top of both Presnel Kimpembe and Nuno Mendes to meet the delivery, and he buries it past Donnarumma to bring Juve back within one. Set pieces!

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51st min: Chance, PSG! Kylian Mbappe, on a hat-trick, charges down the right on a breakaway, with just one inside defender to beat. He gets by the last man, but from too tight an angle, rifles his shot wildly wide of the post. The Frenchman produces a rare whiff in front of net.

48th min: PSG have the attacking intent to start the second 45 minutes, and Mattia Perin is already forced into a save as he stops a low effort from Neymar. Moments earlier, Kostic had tested Donnarumma but it was from way too far out and did not trouble the PSG keeper.

46th min: As the second half begins, Juventus coach Allegri brings on American international Weston McKennie in place of midfielder Miretti.

HALFTIME: PSG 2-0 Juventus

PSG didn’t by any means dominated Juventus in the opening 45 minutes, but they were far more clinical. Kylian Mbappe’s double put PSG up with their first two shots of the match, and the hosts have defended much better as well.

Juventus have been unable to breach the PSG back line save the one effort by Milik that saw Donnarumma produce a big point-blank save. Changes may be needed to produce more creativity and see the Italians back in the match.

45+1 min: Miretti is very late with a challenge on Neymar, sliding through the Brazilian. Neymar, who had turned Bremer around before the tackle, is writhing in pain on the ground. Miretti is shown a yellow card, and may consider himself lucky not to see any worse punishment. For all his rolling around, Neymar can be forgiven here, as that was a late, crunching challenge.

43rd min: Marco Verratti is the next PSG midfielder to blast a shot into Row Z. Juventus, meanwhile, have had time on the ball of late, but can’t seem to link up with Vlahovic and Milik up front. The connection between midfield and forward is lacking.

36th min: Neymar somehow gets free through the Juventus back line off a brilliant bit of skill and a fortuitous deflection, and he goes down under contact from Juan Cuadrado as the ball rolls to Perin. The referee’s having none of it while Neymar screams and holds his back, and replay shows it’s a very emphatic dive. Neymar will always be Neymar!

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35th min: PSG with another wonderful build-up set, with Hakimi bringing the ball up before Lionel Messi finds Vitinha at the top of the 18-yard box, but the Portuguese midfielder whacks it into orbit. As Ray Hudson said, “you could see them getting out the cutlery and setting the table for the kid.” He’s not wrong, as PSG continue to turn the screw with a style that is very pleasing to the eye.

32nd min: Juve have a free-kick which Cuadrado delivers well into the box, but Bremer can’t get a heavily-contested header on target, sending it over the bar. Aside from Milik’s one chance, not much up front for the visitors at Parc des Princes.

24th min: It all kicks off as Mbappe is fouled through the back by Bremer, and Sergio Ramos does not take kindly. The former Real Madrid defender is right up in the face of the Juventus defender, and that starts a scuffle. It simmers down quickly, but Mbappe is still down as the training staff comes on for treatment. The official has lots of work to do to put a lid on things. He shows both Bremer and Ramos a yellow card to up the stakes on the rest of the match.

22nd min: GOAL! PSG! It’s too easy for PSG, with another beautifully worked goal, which Kylian Mbappe puts away again. Verratti and Hakimi are involved, with the latter playing a one-two with Mbappe as the Frenchman enters the penalty area. He gets a bouncing ball, but has no trouble, rifling a low cut strike into the back of the net past Perin.

PSG have two goals on two total shots.

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19th min: Chance, Juventus! The Italian side hasn’t been very incisive, but suddenly, out of nowhere, they have PSG scrambling! An outstanding delivery from Juan Cuadrado from very deep finds the head of Arkadiusz Milik who rises high like a salmon, but his effort is right at Donnarumma who looks like he’s been shot by a cannon as he makes the save. PSG scramble to get the ball clear, and eventually the final effort flashes wide. Marquinhos gives Donnarumma a big hug.

13th min: The game has been cagey since the opener, with Juventus looking to play through PSG’s midfield, but it’s not really happening. Marco Verratti playing well early, not allowing anything through the center of the pitch.

5th min: GOAL! PSG! Neymar, who’s been in utterly blinding form this season, lifts a stunning lofted delivery for Kylian Mbappe down the left edge of the six-yard box. The Frenchman, threaded through out of nothing, produces a blasted finish that Mattia Perin has no answer for at short range.

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Watch in the UK:

3rd min: It’s still hazy as the smoke clears, but the hosts are into the attack first, forcing Leonardo Bonucci into a pair of headed clearances. PSG look to have good attacking intent early. Juve play on the counter, and it produces an awkward one for Donnarumma, but the Italian handles it well. Back-and-forth affair early on.

1st min: The match is under way at Parc des Princes! The game kicks off under a haze of pyrotechnics and flares.

Pre-Match: PSG vs. Juventus (kickoff at 9:00pm local CEST)

15 mins to kick: While Juventus have gotten the better of PSG over the matchup history between these clubs, its PSG with the far better recent European record, especially in the group stage. It’s been nearly two years since their last group stage defeat, just the lone blemish amongst their last 30.

33 mins to kick: Gianluigi Donnarumma is the man in goal for PSG. After playing poorly to finish last season, he’s been in good form to start this year, and earns early Champions League minutes. It does, however, push Keylor Navas further out the door as he continues to rot on the bench.

60 mins to kick: Lineups are in. No surprises whatsoever for PSG, as Gianluigi Donnarumma is picked in goal again, leaving Keylor Navas to consider his options again.

For Juventus, in the absence of Angel Di Maria, Allegri has chosen to tweak the formation, opting for a 3-5-2 with both Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik up front.

75 mins to kick: PSG fans will be hoping to exact revenge on Juventus for a host of big European defeats throughout the clubs’ history.

Most of those results came from matches played in the late 80’s and early 90’s, when the European balance of power was far different. The two teams haven’t met since the 1997 UEFA Super Cup, which Juve won 9-2 on aggregate when the competition was played across two legs.

89 mins to kick: It’s a shame that Angel Di Maria won’t be fit to face his former club at Parc des Princes. The Argentine was not included in the Juventus squad after picking up a hamstring injury against Fiorentina over the weekend. Di Maria was withdrawn at halftime, replaced by Mattia de Sciglio, with Juan Cuadrado pushed forward into the attack.

Di Maria is one of a number of key Juventus players injured, with Wojciech Szczesny and Paul Pogba also missing.

120 mins to kick: PSG may have been suffering through significant backroom strife almost monthly over the past few years, but captain Marquinhos has been a model of consistency. The Brazilian is a leader in every sense of the word, and his growth into one of the top defenders in Europe has flown significantly under the radar.

PSG vs. Juventus lineups & team news

New PSG coach Christophe Galtier has maintained a very consistent starting lineup through the start of Ligue 1 play.

His three-headed monster in attack, featuring Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi are all healthy and in excellent form to start the year.

The only rotation has come along the defensive line. Captain Marquinhos has started consistently, but the others have interchanged. Sergio Ramos started on the bench last time out in league play against Nantes, with Presnel Kimpembe rotated in and Danilo deputizing. Galtier has also attempted to rotate in new summer signing Nordi Mukiele at right-back with regular starter Achraf Hakimi, but it’s the latter who starts today.

At goalkeeper, Galtier sticks with the in-form Gianluigi Donnarumma for all competitions, leaving Keylor Navas to continue rotting on the bench.

PSG starting lineup (3-4-3): Donnarumma (GK) — Kimpembe, Marquinhos, Ramos — Nuno, Vitinha, Verratti, Hakimi — Neymar, Mbappe, Messi.

PSG subs (10): Navas (GK), Rico (GK), Sarabia, Danilo, Mukiele, Bernat, R. Sanches, Fabian, Soler, Ekitike.

MORE: Who will take penalties for PSG after locker room bust-up between Neymar and Mbappe?

Talismanic striker Dusan Vlahovic was rested in the weekend Serie A game against Fiorentina over the weekend, replaced by Arkadiusz Milik, so he is fit and ready to go against PSG. Interestingly, the two forwards are partnered up front. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has an ankle injury and will be replaced by Mattia Perin.

Defender Leonardo Bonucci only made the bench against Fiorentina over the weekend, but he has recovered match fitness to start as one of three center-backs. Danilo continues to deputize at center-back, usually a natural full-back. The two start alongside new defensive signing Bremer.

New midfield addition Leandro Paredes made his Juventus debut against Fiorentina straight away, and is ready to take on his former club less than a week after completing a loan. Angel Di Maria will not play against his former side after picking up a hamstring injury over the weekend.

Juventus starting lineup (3-5-2): Perin (GK) — Danilo, Bremer, Bonucci — Kostic, Rabiot, Paredes, Miretti, Cuadrado — Vlahovic, Milik.

Juventus subs (11): Pinsoglio (GK), Garofani (GK), Rugani, Gatti, de Sciglio, Sandro, McKennie, Locatelli, Fagioli, Soule, Kean.

How to watch PSG vs. Juventus

  UK USA Canada Australia
Date Tue, Sept. 6 Tue, Sept. 6 Tue, Sept. 6 Wed, Sept. 7
Time 20:00 BST 15:00 ET 15:00 ET 05:00 AEST
TV channel BT Sport 5 TUDN, Univision DAZN Stan Sport
Streaming BT Sport fuboTV, Paramount+, ViX DAZN Stan Sport

UK: The Champions League group stage match between PSG and Juventus from Parc des Princes in Paris, France will be televised on BT Sport 5, and can be streamed on both the BT Sport app and website.

USA: In the United States, the Group H match will be televised on spanish language channels TUDN USA and Univision, which are available to stream via fuboTV. Additionally, the match will be streamed in English on CBS’s subscription-based platform Paramount+ and on the Univision spanish-language streaming service ViX.

Canada: Every Champions League match all season long is broadcast in Canada via DAZN.

Australia: Every Champions League match all season long are broadcast in Australia via Stan Sport.

PSG vs. Juventus betting odds, lines, picks & prediction

Odds via Bally Bet (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), & SkyBet (UK).

While it’s clear that Ligue 1 does not possess the same weekly challenge that Serie A can, the league form of these two teams gives an indication of how the match should play out.

PSG’s attacking three are in incredible form. Neymar is at the forefront, with an insane seven goals and six assists through just 455 league minutes, both which put the Brazilian atop the Ligue 1 charts. Lionel Messi is also in great creative form, with three goals and six assists of his own and looking revived from last year’s struggles. Kylian Mbappe, meanwhile, has seven goals leading the PSG line.

Juventus, meanwhile, strike a different chord. They’ve been held to a draw in three of their five league matches thus far, collecting just a single point against Fiorentina, Roma, and Sampdoria. The club has lacked creativity in the final third, with just 6.52 xG (expected goals) across the five matches, sitting Juve eighth in Serie A, miles behind the likes of Napoli, Inter, and AC Milan.

There’s not enough consistency from Juventus to present PSG a challenge at this stage in the season. It’s won’t be the same cakewalk for PSG as in Ligue 1 play, but the match will ultimately swing towards the hosts after enough poking and prodding.

Pick: PSG -1 in 2nd half (+225)

Prediction: PSG 2-0 Juventus

MORE: PSG vs. Juventus best bets, predictions, and expert picks

  USA
(Bally Bet)		 Canada
(Sports Interaction)		 UK
(SkyBet)
Real Sociedad Win +235 +241 +230
Draw +250 +251 +250
Barcelona Win +120 +102 +110
Both teams
to score Y / N		 -160 / +120 -159 / +101 -165 / +120
Over / Under
2.5 goals		 -115 / -105 -118 / -108 -125 / -110
Barcelona -0.5 +120 +112 –
Real Sociedad +0.5 -135 -143 –
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