Paris Saint-Germain weren’t playing any games when it came to their International Champions Cup match against Real Madrid in Columbus, Ohio. While Madrid played a solid B team, PSG manager Unai Emery threw out a solid A squad. That would get the job done as PSG defeated Real by a score of 3-1.
Quick start sets back Madrid
The scoring started early as Jonathan Ikone weaved around defenders and slotted home a ball past Francisco Casilla to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead.
Things would go bad for Paris Saint-Germain as captain Thiago Silva went hard into a challenge. A yellow card caution was issued for the Brazil international, but his night soon ended after he laid on the ground holding his thigh. PSG would be forced to use a substitution in the ninth minute of play, sending Thomas Meunier on to replace the defender. Evidently, the decision would pay off.
Meunier scores brace
In the 36th minute, Meunier would open his scoring account, as he sent a rocket of a shot in from 20 yards outside of the box. Minutes later, Meunier would strike again as he converted a rebound shot to give PSG a 3-0 lead.
Madrid wouldn’t give up, as they were awarded a penalty kick in the dying moments of the first half. A handball in the box would set up Madrid and Marcelo comfortably with a spot kick. Marcelo converted, but not without a little contest from PSG goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, who almost got a hand on it.
The first half would end, and Real Madrid needed to change a lot of things in order to pull themselves out of the two-goal deficit.
The second half seemed a bit lackluster from PSG, almost as if they had parked the bus. Multiple substitutions from both sides saw Madrid fight until the end, catching PSG off guard and flat-footed. Madrid would control the start of the second half and attack the net multiple times in quick fashion, but were shut down and forced to defend.
Madrid unable to get back into the match
As the second half dwindled down, PSG gained the momentum and started counter-attacks of their own. They almost converted on two, Madrid would stand tall and not let their opponents score.
PSG had the upper hand in this match as they already had a game under their belt. Their previous match was a 3-1 victory over Italian Serie A side Inter Milan. This was Real Madrid’s first match in the International Champions Cup tournament this season.
Madrid’s next match is against English Premier League side Chelsea FC in Ann Arbor, Michigan, while Paris Saint-Germain travel to Carson, California to take on Leicester City.