Kylian Mbappe scores as PSG ease past Borussia Dortmund

• PSG hosted Borussia Dortmund in  match week 1 of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League campaign
• UCL paired the two teams in the toughest group, Group F, which also includes AC Milan and Newcastle.
• Mbappe was on target once again as PSG cruised to the top of the group with a 2-0 win

Kylian Mbappe once again demonstrated his prowess in the Champions League as Paris St Germain (PSG) overcame a resilient Borussia Dortmund side 2-0 in their Group F opening clash. This victory saw the French forward increase his Champions League goal tally to 41 in just 62 appearances, further solidifying his status among Europe’s elite footballers. His contribution included a controversial penalty conversion early in the second half.

Additionally, Achraf Hakimi chipped in with the second goal, aiding PSG in their recovery from a surprising domestic defeat to Nice on the previous Friday.

Following this win, the French champions now sit atop their group, as AC Milan played out a goalless draw against Newcastle in the earlier fixture.

PSG players celebrate after Achraf Hakimi scored against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, September 19 2023. | PHOTO: Eurosport |

The game’s early exchanges saw both teams creating chances, signaling their intent. In the third minute, PSG’s Mbappe won a free-kick on the left wing. Ousmane Dembele’s delivery found Lucas Hernandez inside the six-yard box, but the latter could only prod the loose ball wide, failing to convert the opportunity.

Borussia Dortmund, too, started brightly, with Mats Hummels, who had netted twice in their 4-2 victory over Freiburg during the weekend, heading an early corner over the bar. Shortly after, Donyell Malen tried his luck with a shot, but Gianluigi Donnarumma made the save.

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However, Dortmund faced a significant scare in the 20th minute when Vitinha found space in the box and unleashed a shot that cannoned off the inside of the post. Warren Zaire-Emery was positioned to capitalize on the rebound but struggled to adjust his feet quickly enough to tap the ball into the empty net, sparing Dortmund’s blushes.

As the first half progressed, Mbappe unleashed a drive that veered wide of the target, while Dembele’s attempt found the side-netting, contributing to a frustrating opening period for the home side. Dortmund also had their share of luck, surviving a VAR review for a potential handball against Niklas Sule, a decision that ultimately went in their favor.

However, the second half brought a turning point in the match, but not without controversy. Just 70 seconds into the half, Sule was penalized for handling as he attempted to block Mbappe’s shot. Although the effort seemed more destined for the corner flag than the goal, referee Jesus Gil Manzano’s decision to award a penalty stood, even after VAR review. Mbappe stepped up confidently and calmly slotted the ball into the net from the spot, opening the scoring for PSG.

Shortly before the hour mark, PSG sealed their victory when Vitinha played a perfectly timed through-ball to Hakimi. The Moroccan international displayed nimble footwork to outmaneuver his marker before clinically dispatching the ball into the net.

Dortmund had a fleeting chance to respond when Jamie Bynoe-Gittens struck the woodwork, but the visitors never truly appeared capable of mounting a comeback.

Mbappe had an opportunity to double his tally in stoppage time following a lightning-fast counterattack, but his delicate chip ultimately sailed wide of the target.