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Neymar helps PSG clinch Champions Trophy


Bangladeshpost
Published : 14 Jan 2021 08:23 PM

Neymar scored on his return to action for Paris Saint-Germain as they beat arch rivals Marseille 2-1 to win this season's Champions Trophy on Wednesday, reports AFP.

The Brazilian rolled home an 85th minute penalty to put PSG two goals ahead following Mauro Icardi's first-half opener to give new coach Mauricio Pochettino the first trophy of his reign in the French capital, and managerial career.

"I hope to win more titles, but the first will always be special," said Pochettino. "We deserved this victory, we payed a good match."

The Champions Trophy is the French equivalent of a Super Cup, usually contested at the start of the season by the league champions and French Cup winners. 

With PSG winning both last season, Marseille had been selected as their opponents as the Ligue 1 runners-up. This season's edition was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Hopes were high for a feisty tussle in Lens after Marseille's league win at PSG in September ended with five red cards and Neymar accusing Marseille centre back Alvaro Gonzalez of racism in the aftermath.

However it was a largely tame encounter in northern France, with the most noteworthy incident being substitute Neymar's goalscoring return after a month away. 

The 28-year-old hadn't featured for the French champions since being stretchered off with an ankle injury during a 1-0 defeat to current league leaders Lyon on December 13.