• PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN PLAYER RATINGS: Keylor Navas, 7 - Arguably the reason his side got anything at all against an opponent they were expected to breeze past. Had no chance of stopping the equaliser, but he got down smartly to keep out Hans Vakanen’s low free-kick and deny the Club Brugge skipper his second, before producing a fabulous one-handed save to scoop away Charles De Ketelaere‘s effort. AFP
    PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN PLAYER RATINGS: Keylor Navas, 7 - Arguably the reason his side got anything at all against an opponent they were expected to breeze past. Had no chance of stopping the equaliser, but he got down smartly to keep out Hans Vakanen’s low free-kick and deny the Club Brugge skipper his second, before producing a fabulous one-handed save to scoop away Charles De Ketelaere‘s effort. AFP
  • Achraf Hakimi, 5 - Produced an important flick-on at the back post to preserve his side’s lead and thwart Vanaken who was lining up the spectacular, but he allowed Eduard Sobol to get in behind him and he squared for Vanaken to thunder home. A slightly nervous display from the PSG full-back. AFP
    Achraf Hakimi, 5 - Produced an important flick-on at the back post to preserve his side’s lead and thwart Vanaken who was lining up the spectacular, but he allowed Eduard Sobol to get in behind him and he squared for Vanaken to thunder home. A slightly nervous display from the PSG full-back. AFP
  • Marquinhos, 6 - A much busier evening than he would have expected, and the 27-year-old was mightily fortunate to see a low cross evade Vanaken at the far post after nicking off the centre-back. Superbly denied the hosts the perfect start to the second half with a stunning block to thwart Jack Hendry. EPA
    Marquinhos, 6 - A much busier evening than he would have expected, and the 27-year-old was mightily fortunate to see a low cross evade Vanaken at the far post after nicking off the centre-back. Superbly denied the hosts the perfect start to the second half with a stunning block to thwart Jack Hendry. EPA
  • Presnel Kimpembe, 6 - Showed strength to pin the Belgian side inside their own half as they looked for an escape on the counter, but he could only stick a leg out in front of Vanaken’s piledriver that cannoned off his leg and flew past Navas. Repelled a dangerous low-cross away to safety with two Brugge players waiting to pounce. AFP
    Presnel Kimpembe, 6 - Showed strength to pin the Belgian side inside their own half as they looked for an escape on the counter, but he could only stick a leg out in front of Vanaken’s piledriver that cannoned off his leg and flew past Navas. Repelled a dangerous low-cross away to safety with two Brugge players waiting to pounce. AFP
  • Abdou Diallo, 5 - A difficult night for the left-back who was put under constant pressure by the hosts’ press. Not quite given the torrid time that Hakimi was as Club Brugge opted to build down the left, but a difficult night nonetheless. Replaced by Nuno Mendes for the final 15 minutes. AFP
    Abdou Diallo, 5 - A difficult night for the left-back who was put under constant pressure by the hosts’ press. Not quite given the torrid time that Hakimi was as Club Brugge opted to build down the left, but a difficult night nonetheless. Replaced by Nuno Mendes for the final 15 minutes. AFP
  • Georginio Wijnaldum, 4 - The visitors were guilty of overplaying at times as their passing featured plenty of flicks but a lack of fluidity and Wijnaldum captured that perfectly when he opted to try and flick the ball over his head deep in PSG territory which allowed Club Brugge to easily nick the ball back. The former Liverpool favourite struggled to grab the game by the scruff of the neck in an uninspired display and was hauled off at half-time. AFP
    Georginio Wijnaldum, 4 - The visitors were guilty of overplaying at times as their passing featured plenty of flicks but a lack of fluidity and Wijnaldum captured that perfectly when he opted to try and flick the ball over his head deep in PSG territory which allowed Club Brugge to easily nick the ball back. The former Liverpool favourite struggled to grab the game by the scruff of the neck in an uninspired display and was hauled off at half-time. AFP
  • Leandro Paredes, 4 - Certainly in the thick of things in the opening 10 minutes and was nearly the architect of disaster when he allowed a simple pass from Kimpembe to roll under his studs before desperately clattering into De Ketelaere at the expense of a yellow card. A poor display that saw him subbed off at the break. Getty Images
    Leandro Paredes, 4 - Certainly in the thick of things in the opening 10 minutes and was nearly the architect of disaster when he allowed a simple pass from Kimpembe to roll under his studs before desperately clattering into De Ketelaere at the expense of a yellow card. A poor display that saw him subbed off at the break. Getty Images
  • Ander Herrera, 8 - Almost unlocked the home defence for the first time with a threaded pass intended for the overlapping Hakimi, but the ball was well snuffed out by a disciplined home defence. He always looked the most likely to make something happen for his side in the early stages and his efforts were rewarded as he struck his first Champions League goal when he rifled into the bottom left corner. AP
    Ander Herrera, 8 - Almost unlocked the home defence for the first time with a threaded pass intended for the overlapping Hakimi, but the ball was well snuffed out by a disciplined home defence. He always looked the most likely to make something happen for his side in the early stages and his efforts were rewarded as he struck his first Champions League goal when he rifled into the bottom left corner. AP
  • Kylian Mbappe, 7 - When Mbappe is around there’s always a chance of goals and the France star brilliantly chopped inside then outside before stroking the ball into the path of Herrera who fired the opener. Showed quick feet to glide away from his man once again but this time his fizzed, out-swinging cross curled away to safety before Simon Mignolet denied him with a fine save minutes later. Withdrawn in the 51st minute after picking up a knock. AFP
    Kylian Mbappe, 7 - When Mbappe is around there’s always a chance of goals and the France star brilliantly chopped inside then outside before stroking the ball into the path of Herrera who fired the opener. Showed quick feet to glide away from his man once again but this time his fizzed, out-swinging cross curled away to safety before Simon Mignolet denied him with a fine save minutes later. Withdrawn in the 51st minute after picking up a knock. AFP
  • Lionel Messi, 6 - Only a second appearance for the Argentine who completed a ferocious front three for the first time, but ferocious became feeble as the trio were isolated for large spells. He went close with a curling left-footed effort that cannoned back off the bar before stinging the palms of Mignolet midway through the second half and wasted a golden chance to break Club Brugge hearts when he picked out row Z late on. Getty Images
    Lionel Messi, 6 - Only a second appearance for the Argentine who completed a ferocious front three for the first time, but ferocious became feeble as the trio were isolated for large spells. He went close with a curling left-footed effort that cannoned back off the bar before stinging the palms of Mignolet midway through the second half and wasted a golden chance to break Club Brugge hearts when he picked out row Z late on. Getty Images
  • Neymar, 6 - An illusive outing from the Brazilian who unpicked the home defence with a sensational lifted pass over the top, only for his teammate to miscontrol at the vital moment, and he offered little else. Getty Images
    Neymar, 6 - An illusive outing from the Brazilian who unpicked the home defence with a sensational lifted pass over the top, only for his teammate to miscontrol at the vital moment, and he offered little else. Getty Images
  • Danilo Pereira (45'), 6 - Replaced Wijnaldum at the break following an indifferent display. Produced an important intervention to shepherd the ball out for a corner just before the hour-mark and his side were able to clear. Reuters
    Danilo Pereira (45'), 6 - Replaced Wijnaldum at the break following an indifferent display. Produced an important intervention to shepherd the ball out for a corner just before the hour-mark and his side were able to clear. Reuters
  • Julian Draxler (45'), 5 - Replaced Paredes in a double-switch at the interval. He was unable to provide the attacking spark Mauricio Pochettino would have been hoping for as PSG continued to struggle against their tenacious and unrelenting hosts. Getty
    Julian Draxler (45'), 5 - Replaced Paredes in a double-switch at the interval. He was unable to provide the attacking spark Mauricio Pochettino would have been hoping for as PSG continued to struggle against their tenacious and unrelenting hosts. Getty
  • Mauro Icardi (51'), 6 - Replaced the roughed up Mbappe as the visitors were forced into their third change within six minutes of the restart. He looked certain to make it 2-1 just moments later, but the move was snuffed out by an exceptional piece of defending before a late offside flag went up. Came within inches of a winner inside the final 10 minutes with an improvised flick that flew just past the post. AP
    Mauro Icardi (51'), 6 - Replaced the roughed up Mbappe as the visitors were forced into their third change within six minutes of the restart. He looked certain to make it 2-1 just moments later, but the move was snuffed out by an exceptional piece of defending before a late offside flag went up. Came within inches of a winner inside the final 10 minutes with an improvised flick that flew just past the post. AP
  • Nuno Mendes 75'), NR - Replaced Diallo for the final quarter-hour and probably did more attacking than any other PSG defender all night. A bright performance on the left-hand side from the teenager. AFP
    Nuno Mendes 75'), NR - Replaced Diallo for the final quarter-hour and probably did more attacking than any other PSG defender all night. A bright performance on the left-hand side from the teenager. AFP

PSG player ratings v Club Brugge: Kylian Mbappe 7, Lionel Messi 6, Neymar 6


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Lionel Messi failed to provide Paris St Germain with any sparkle as the Ligue 1 team's potent attacking trio lacked inspiration in a disappointing 1-1 draw at Club Brugge in their Champions League opener on Wednesday.

Making his first start for the French team, the Argentine forward hit the woodwork but was otherwise far from his brilliant best alongside the hugely disappointing Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, who set up Ander Herrera for PSG's first-half opener before being replaced injured after the break.

Brugge, who levelled before halftime through Hans Vanaken, were more aggressive and had the best chances against a PSG side lacking quality and defensive focus.

The result left PSG and Brugge trailing Group A leaders Manchester City by two points after the Premier League champions crushed RB Leipzig 6-3.

Liam Wheeler provides the player ratings for PSG in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

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Updated: September 16, 2021, 7:46 AM