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Fabian Ruiz spares Dembele's blushes to give PSG narrow win over Angers

Fabian Ruiz celebrates his winner
Fabian Ruiz celebrates his winnerAbdullah Firas/ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia
Paris Saint-Germain made it two wins out of two in Ligue 1, following a stuttering 1-0 win at home to Angers SCO that made it 19 straight victories in all competitions against their opponents.

After labouring to an opening-day victory last time, Luis Enrique’s men struggled to get going here under the lights of Parc des Princes, with the Angers defence proving to be a stubborn challenge.

PSG continued to probe for the opening goal, however, and were given a golden opportunity just before the half-hour mark when Joao Neves was brought down in the box. Upstepped Ousmane Dembele, but the Ballon d’Or favourite blazed his penalty high and wide into the Parisian sky. 

The home side continued to dominate possession, and had over 83% of it during the first half, but they struggled to turn it into goal-scoring opportunities.

Desire Doue had a chance from the edge of the box, but his curling effort landed on the roof of the net, with Angers more than happy to head into the break goalless.

Undeterred by the struggles to break down the stubborn visitors, Enrique’s men persevered in their usual style, and finally netted a vital opening goal within five minutes of the restart. Doue’s ball into the box was deflected into the path of Fabian Ruiz, who swept home his finish.

However, this didn’t lead to the floodgates opening, as Le SCO continued to sit back and frustrate their hosts.

The goalscorer Ruiz came within inches of doubling his and PSG’s tally for the evening but he headed inches wide after being picked out by Hakimi.

Nuno Mendes was next to go close after twisting in and out of the Angers defence before his goalbound effort was palmed away by Herve Koffi.

In the end, it was the solitary Ruiz goal that proved to be the difference between PSG and Angers, who will hope that it is third time lucky on the next matchday after posting a second straight defeat this campaign.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain)

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