Neymar penalty rescues point for PSG against Monaco after Kevin Volland opener

PSG dropped points for the first time this season as they were forced to come from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Monaco in Ligue 1. The defending champions hit the woodwork three times at Parc des Princes, but it was a Neymar penalty that earned them a point in a fractious clash in Paris.

The visitors took a shock lead after 20-minutes when Kevin Volland ran onto a through ball and fired a composed finish into the bottom corner just inside the box. It was no more than they deserved though, having frustrated the Parisians with a high press that did not afford their glittering strikeforce any time on the ball.

Ad PSG struggled for a response, and did not test goalkeeper Alexander Nubel until the 31st minute when Kylian Mbappe had a tame shot saved. The Monaco goal was soon living a charged life though, as Lionel Messi rattled the woodwork with a fierce 25-yard shot that bounced out to Mbappe, who diverted the rebound onto the opposite post.

Ligue 1Mbappe scores fastest goal in Ligue 1 history as PSG hit Lille for seven21/08/2022 AT 18:25 The French international was guilty of some uncharacteristically poor finishing throughout the night against his former club, spurning a further two chances shortly after half-time. He was then further thwarted by Nubel, who made a stunning block at his near post, before Renato Sanchesz blasted the rebound just wide.

PSG eventually equalised from the penalty spot, with the referee awarding a spot kick through VAR after originally waving away Neymar’s appeals for a trip by Guillermo Maripan. The Brazilian dusted himself down and deftly slotted into the bottom corner to make it 1-1, and the hosts then laid siege on the Monaco goal, but the closest they came to a winner was through Achraf