Mbappe, Hakimi star as PSG topples Dortmund
Second half goals to Kylian Mbappe, from the penalty spot, and Achraf Hakimi propelled PSG to a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in their UEFA Champions League Group F opener.
Kylian Mbappe grabbed yet another Champions League goal as Paris St Germain saw off a stubborn Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in their Group F opener.
The France forward took his tally to 41 goals in just 62 appearances among Europe’s elite with a controversial penalty early in the second half.
Achraf Hakimi added the second as PSG bounced back from Friday’s surprise domestic defeat at home to Nice.
The French champions now sit top of their group after AC Milan drew 0-0 with Newcastle in the earlier match.
The hosts created their first chance after only three minutes when Mbappe won a free-kick on the left wing.
Ousmane Dembele’s cross fell to Lucas Hernandez inside the six-yard box but he could only prod the loose ball wide.
But Dortmund started brightly too with Mats Hummels, who scored twice in a 4-2 win at Freiburg at the weekend, headed an early corner over before Donyell Malen’s shot was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
They had a let-off after 20 minutes when Vitinha found a yard of space in the area and sent his shot crashing back off the inside of a post.
Warren Zaire-Emery was following up but was unable to adjust his feet in time to tap into an empty net.
Mbappe sent a drive wide and Dembele hit the side-netting towards the end of a frustrating first half for the hosts, while Dortmund survived a VAR check for a soft handball shot against Niklas Sule.
But the visitors had no such luck 70 seconds into the second half when Sule was penalised for handling as he dived in to block Mbappe’s shot.
The effort looked destined more for the corner flag than the goal but, despite another VAR review, referee Jesus Gil Manzano’s decision stood and Mbappe stepped up to confidently to tuck away the spot-kick.
Just before the hour PSG wrapped up the victory when Vitinha played in Hakimi, who showed a neat turn of foot to beat his marker before tucking the ball away.
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens hit the woodwork for Dortmund but the visitors never really looked capable of threatening a comeback.
Mbappe should have had a second in stoppage time after a lightning break but his chip flew wide.
