PLAYER RATINGS | Brest 0-1 PSG: Luis Enrique’s men secure first Ligue 1 win as Eric Roy celebrated | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 4, 13/09/26

Paris Saint-Germain claimed their first Ligue 1 win of the season thanks to a stunning goal from Ferran Torres (0-1). It was a special goal on a special night in which Eric Roy was commemorated in Brittany.

The Match

With their first big chance of the game, PSG took the lead through Torres. It was exquisite one-touch football, with Joao Neves playing it into Ousmane Dembélé, who used his heel to play it into the Spaniard, who needed just one touch to pass it past Egil Selvik from 25 yards. Les Parisiens had chances, notably through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who elicited a fingertip save from the Brest goalkeeper not long after the opener.

But Les Ty-Zéfs had chances of their own, particularly in the second half, and two of their best fell to Kamory Doumbia. The first was offered on a plate by Nuno Mendes, who inexplicably played it straight to Doumbia. The Brest forward found himself one-on-one with Matvey Safonov, but could only hit the outside of the post with his effort. Moments later, Pathé Mboup found Doumbia in the box and a header from the latter forced a strong save low to Safonov’s left.

Having ridden the storm, PSG pushed once again. Neves went close twice, popping up at the back post on both occasions but failing to beat Selvik with either effort. Désiré Doué also came close, cutting in off the left onto his right foot and missing the outside of Selvik’s far post by a matter of inches.

An inability to extend the lead left PSG vulnerable going into the closing stages and they were always going to come under pressure. Pathé Mboup forced a brilliant finger-tip save from Safonov. Another opening would not be forced, and despite having a superior xG on the night, Brest slumped to defeat.

PSG player ratings

Matvey Safonov – 7

The Russian has been criticised at the start of this season and rightly so. There are creeping doubts about Safonov and notably his inability to protect his near post, but whilst one performance cannot extinguish all doubts, this was a night in which he reasserted that he is PSG’s No.1. He was forced into a range of saves and showed himself up to the occasion whenever he was solicited.

Nuno Mendes – 4

Willian Pacho – 5

Marquinhos – 5

Achraf Hakimi – N/A

Replaced by Fabián Ruiz (5) midway through the first half.

Warren Zaire-Emery – 4

Vitinha – 4

João Neves – 6

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – 4

Ousmane Dembélé – 5

Ferran Torres – 7

The World Champion has been so clinical since making the move to PSG over the summer. Of his six goals, this was certainly the best. Such composure and technique to just push it past Selvik. He is also already setting standards, guiding sequences and directing his teammates. The confidence at having scored the winner in a World Cup final is still running through his veins.

Selected Brest player ratings

Joris Chotard – 6

Pathé Mboup – 3

Raphael Le Guen – 7

He is such an excellent one-on-one defender. Twice he was the penultimate line of defence and on both occasions he was up to the task of stopping the PSG attack. His tackle on Torres, notably, as he prepared to shoot in the second half, was impeccably timed.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle