Football

Barcola's brace helps PSG to thrash Montpellier 6-0

August 24, 2024 12:14 pm

[Source: Reuters]

Bradley Barcola scored twice as Ligue 1 champions Paris St Germain hammered Montpellier 6-0 in their first home game of the season.

PSG were dominant throughout the encounter at the Parc des Princes to record a second straight win following their 4-1 victory at Le Havre in their league opener last week.

“I’m very happy because it’s our first home game. We wanted to give the fans some joy. It was a perfect evening. I felt it in training, the intensity of the pressing increased,” PSG manager Luis Enrique told DAZN.

Article continues after advertisement

“We scored six goals but we could have scored 10. Today was our night… the players were incredible. It’s a great feeling.”

Barcola opened the scoring in the fourth minute following a great solo run down the left flank before Marco Asensio doubled the lead, sending the ball into the net after a brilliant team move through a weak defence from the visitors in the 24th.

Barcola netted his second with a tap-in off a Ousmane Dembele pass eight minutes after the break, while Achraf Hakimi coolly slotted home from Nuno Mendes’ pinpoint long-range cross five minutes later.

“I had a lot of fun, I felt free. The coach asked everyone to press together. You have to make a lot of effort, but you get used to it as you go along,” Barcola said.

“I’ve realised that I can make a difference. Pushing the ball like that on the first goal is something I’ve been doing since I was very young.”

Warren Zaire-Emery got on the scoresheet on the hour mark off Dembele’s second assist and substitute Lee Kang-in sealed the rout with a fine effort from the edge of the box eight minutes from time.

PSG will be looking to continue their perfect start to the campaign away against Lille on Sept. 1, while Montpellier host Nantes a day earlier.

“There have only been two games but I’m really pleased with what I’ve seen,” Luis Enrique added.