Doué, Vitinha, Kvaratskhelia… PSG's international break round-up, Sunday | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain experienced a particularly lively international evening through its players. Between Désiré Doué’s brilliant brace for France, Vitinha’s impact in Portugal’s draw, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s solid win with Georgia, and young Khalil Ayari’s encouraging outing with Tunisia, Paris saw several of its representatives send out truly positive signals.

Reasons for confidence…

The big winner of the evening for PSG was clearly Désiré Doué, who scored twice for a reshuffled France side (despite some wastefulness on the ball) but one that was very convincing against Colombia. Behind him, Vitinha once again reminded everyone why he changes the face of Portugal as soon as he comes into a game, to the point of being publicly praised by Roberto Martinez after the draw against Mexico.

Kvaratskhelia, meanwhile, played the full 90 minutes in Georgia’s win in Lithuania, while young Khalil Ayari showed some interesting things with Tunisia. It was a Sunday on which Paris saw several different profiles speak the same language: influence, personality, promise.

Standout performances

Mexico – Portugal

Portugal were held to a 0-0 draw at the Estadio Azteca, with four PSG players involved. Gonçalo Ramos hit the post, while Vitinha made a major impact after the break in a Portugal side that was broadly dominant in play.

Nuno Mendes – Starter, 45 minutes, no goal involvement. Solid on the left flank before going off at half-time, he took part in a first half in which Portugal largely controlled things without converting. My rating: 6/10

Vitinha – On the bench at kick-off, came on at half-time, 45 minutes, no goal involvement. His introduction clearly changed Portugal’s rhythm: 74 touches, 67 completed passes out of 70, and 27 passes in the final third. No goal or assist, but a real imprint on the match. My rating: 8/10

João Neves – On the bench at kick-off, came on at half-time, 45 minutes, no goal involvement. Less spectacular than Vitinha, but present to help Portugal control the second half, with his usual energy and good continuity in midfield. My rating: 6.5/10

Gonçalo Ramos – Starter, 64 minutes, no goal involvement. The Paris striker had one of Portugal’s best chances when he hit the post before going off. He did not score and did not make up for Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence. My rating: 5/10

Lithuania – Georgia

Georgia won 2-0 in Kaunas thanks to a brace from Georges Mikautadze. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, for his part, completed the full match in a clean and controlled victory.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Starter, 90 minutes, no goal involvement. This time the spotlight went to Mikautadze, but the PSG man still did his job well in attack and played his part in a serious Georgian win. Less dazzling than in the previous match against Israel, but still involved. My rating: 6.5/10

Colombia – France

France beat Colombia 3-1 with three PSG players in the starting XI. Désiré Doué scored twice in 63 minutes, Warren Zaïre-Emery started in midfield, and Lucas Hernandez held his place in a heavily reshuffled defense.

Lucas Hernandez – Starter, 90 minutes, no goal involvement. The Paris defender stayed on until the end and brought stability to a reworked back line. Not a spectacular outing, but a clean and useful performance in a France side that was largely in control. My rating: 6.5/10

Warren Zaïre-Emery – Starter, 63 minutes, no goal involvement. Available, mobile, and active at both ends, he contributed to France’s strong first hour before being replaced. A serious performance, even if not the most eye-catching of the evening. My rating: 6.5/10

Désiré Doué – Starter, 63 minutes, decisive with a brace. He was obviously PSG’s great source of satisfaction from this match: sharp, accurate, ambitious, he punished Colombia twice and led the French attack before going off on the hour mark. A performance that makes a statement, though his technical wastefulness is still worth noting. My rating: 8/10

Haiti – Tunisia

Tunisia won 1-0 in Toronto. From PSG, young Khalil Ayari, called up to Tunisia’s senior national team, started and played his part in the Eagles of Carthage’s strong first half before going off on the hour mark.

Khalil Ayari – Starter, 60 minutes, no goal involvement. The young Paris player did not produce a decisive moment, but the Tunisian press noted that he unsettled Haiti’s defense several times during a successful first half. An encouraging outing, full of boldness and energy. My rating: 6.5/10

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