Ramos scores as PSG hit 4 past Reims in Ligue 1

Sergio Ramos scored his first-ever Paris Saint-Germain goal as the Ligue 1 leaders cruised to a 4-0 victory over Reims on Sunday evening.

The defender, who has seen a challenging start to life in the French capital since his move from Real Madrid last summer, opened his account for Mauricio Pochettino’s side with a close-range second-half finish at the Parc des Princes.

Marco Verratti began the scoring with his first league goal in just under five years, while Wout Faes’ own goal and a Danilo Pereira goal sealed the points as the hosts moved 11 points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table.

PSG, who also welcomed back Lionel Messi following his absence due to COVID-19 since before Christmas, have now won the last four Ligue 1 meetings between these sides, keeping a clean sheet on each occasion.

PSG players celebrate a goal against Reims. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

Unbeaten in 13 home league games, PSG quickly took control of proceedings on Sunday. Pereira headed over from a corner, while Kylian Mbappe shot straight at Predrag Rajkovic.

The hosts broke through just before half-time; Icardi’s blocked effort felling for Verratti, who beat Rajkovic with a sweetly struck shot.

Seeking only a third win from 15 away matches, Reims almost found a leveller after the break. Nathanael Mbuku drew a smart save out of Keylor Navas before Hugo Ekitike sent the rebound over.

However, it was PSG who doubled their lead in the 62nd minute as Ramos prodded home at the second attempt after his initial strike following a corner was parried by Rajkovic.

Five minutes later, two became three with Verratti’s strike taking two deflections – the latter off Faes – before nestling in the far corner.

Mauro Icardi was denied shortly afterwards before Pereira got in on the act with a quarter of an hour remaining, latching onto Mbappe’s centre before his deflected shot flew past Rajkovic.

PSG have now suffered just one defeat in their last 29 matches in Ligue 1. This was another dominant display by the hosts, who enjoyed over two-thirds of the possession, completing 833 passes and registering 22 shots.

PSG players celebrate after Marco Verratti scored against Reims in a Ligue 1 clash. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

Meanwhile, it is back-to-back defeats for Reims, who are only five points clear of the relegation zone.

PSG took 44 minutes to break the deadlock and the opener came courtesy of Verratti, who found the net in Ligue 1 for the first time since scoring in a 5-0 victory over Bastia way back in May 2017.

The Italy international, whose shot also led to his side’s third goal, recorded 113 touches and 99 passes – both bettered only by Leandro Paredes and Ramos. Meanwhile, he gained possession 10 times, with only Pereira (11) topping that.

Icardi has only netted four times in 18 Ligue 1 appearances this season, and his lack of confidence was evident here.

Although he recorded a game-high tally of five shots (matched only by Mbappe), just one was on target – a close-range attempt that he hit straight at the goalkeeper.

Also, his totals of 23 touches and 14 passes were the lowest recorded by any PSG starter.

PSG are back in action on January 31 when they host Nice in the Coupe de France, before travelling to Lille in Ligue 1 six days later. Reims’ next game is a cup clash with Bastia on January 29.