(AFP) - Moroccan internationals Ashraf Hakimi and Argentine Lionel Messi led their team, Paris Saint-Germain, to continue the awakening by turning the tables on guest Toulouse by defeating him 2-1, Saturday, at the “Parc des Princes” stadium in Paris, in the opening of the twenty-second stage of the French Championship in soccer.
The guests surprised the owners of the land with the first goal through the Dutchman Branko van den Bomen in the 20th minute, but Hakimi equalized (38), then set up the winning goal for Messi (58).
It is the second victory in a row for Paris Saint-Germain and the seventeenth this season, so it strengthened its position in the lead with 54 points, by eight points in front of its direct pursuer, Marseille, who hosts Nice on Sunday at the end of the stage, noting that Saint-Germain and Marseille will meet in a fiery summit next Wednesday at the “Velodrome” stadium in The price of the final of the local cup competition.
Paris Saint-Germain suffered two things to stop the awakening of Toulouse, which suffered its first loss in the last six matches in the league (four wins and one loss), so it remained twelfth with 29 points.
Paris Saint-Germain played in the absence of its international goalscorers Kylian Mbappe, Brazilian Neymar Jr., defenders Prisnel Kimpembe and Spaniard Sergio Ramos due to injury, and Italian international midfielder Marco Verratti due to suspension.
Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier praised the Argentine star who won the World Cup with his country late last year in Qatar, and said, "Lionel Messi took over the leadership of this team. He was a very important locomotive, similar to his goal and the chances he created."
"I ask the team to play for Leo and work with him. We have to relieve him of certain tasks. His teammates have to redouble their efforts in recovering balls and creating spaces so that he can make his assists, which are very rare in football today, in small spaces."
Galtier also praised defender Hakimi, "Achraf was decisive. In the face of a low block, it is important to take initiatives in shooting."
And the Parisian club's suffering continued with the injury when the Portuguese international midfielder, Renato Sanchez, was forced to leave his place for the Frenchman, Al Shadel Picciapo, in the 14th minute, due to a thigh injury.
Saint-Germain had barely recovered from the shock of Sanchez's injury until he conceded a goal for the guests from a direct free kick, which the Dutchman Branko van den Bomen rushed to with his right from outside the area and settled it in the right corner, where the Italian international goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was present without succeeding in removing it (20).
And the Brazilian international defense pole captain, Marquinhos, almost equalized, with a header from close range that hit the crossbar and exited (34).
Moroccan international Zakaria Abu during scored a second goal for Toulouse with a header from close range, which was canceled for offside after resorting to the video assistant referee “VAR” (36).
Paris Saint-Germain equalized when Moroccan international defender Ashraf Hakimi took advantage of a ball from the right side, so he penetrated towards the middle of the field, manipulating defenders at its outskirts, before hitting it powerfully with his left from 22 meters into the far right corner of goalkeeper Maxim Doub (38).
Paris Saint-Germain continued his preference in the second half and succeeded in advancing when Hakimi did it again by manipulating the defense of the guests at the outskirts of the area, so Messi took advantage of the ball and hit it hard with his left from outside the area and placed it in the right corner of goalkeeper Dob (58).
The post denied Messi the double by returning his shot in the last fourth minute of stoppage time.
Lille regained its winning streak after a loss and a draw, by defeating Rennes 3-1.
Rennes started the match in the best possible way by opening the scoring in the first minute through Algerian-born Amine Guerre, but Lille turned the tables in the second half by scoring three goals, which were alternated between Kosovar Idon Zhigrova (59), Remy Kabila (85) and Portuguese Andre Gomes (90 + 3).
Lille strengthened its position in sixth place, with 38 points, two points behind Rennes, fifth.
In a third match, Lyon won a huge victory at Troyes 3-1.
Lyon finished the first half ahead with the goal of striker Bradley Barkola in the 43rd minute, and Rayan Sharqi added the second goal at the beginning of the second half (59), and Portuguese midfielder Rony Lubis narrowed the difference after three minutes before captain Alexandre La Cazette delivered the fatal blow to Troyes by scoring the third goal in the minute. The third of injury time.
Lyon rose to eighth place temporarily, with 32 points, compared to 19 points for Troyes sixteenth.
Sunday also meets Clermont-Ferrand with Monaco, Lorient with Angers, Ajaccio with Nantes, Strasbourg with Montpellier, Auxerre with Reims, and Brest with Lens.