Sergio Ramos made his official debut for Paris Saint-Germain, but it was Lionel Messi who grabbed the headlines as the Ligue 1 leaders defeated Saint-Etienne.
Ligue 1
Result: Saint-Etienne 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain
Date: 28 November 2021
Venue: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
Mauricio Pochettino handed Ramos his debut for PSG in defence alongside Marquinhos while Angel di Maria replaced the injured Ander Herrera, who limped off against Manchester City.
The hosts had the ball in the back of the net after just five minutes when Neymar turned home Messi's cross, but celebrations were cut short due to an offside after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.
While the Ligue 1 leaders were unable to find the back of the net early on, the hosts went on to break the deadlock on 23 minutes as Denis Bouanga slotted home from close range.
PSG should have been level on 40 minutes after an inviting cross went into the six-yard box, but Kylian Mbappe was beaten to the ball by Etienne goalkeeper Etienne Green.
However, visitors were given a bit of hope on the stroke of halftime when Saint-Etienne were reduced to ten men after Timothee Kolodziejczak was shown a straight red card.
PSG took advantage seconds later as Messi turned provider and sent a fine free-kick into the box for Marquinhos to head home the equaliser.
The visitors as the second half resume, with both Messi and Mbappe going close to putting their side in front before the hour mark.
Pochettino made his first change with 15 minutes left on the lock as Idrissa Gueye made for Leandro Paredes as they went in search of a winner.
PSG got their reward on 79 minutes as Messi picked up his second assist of the game by playing in Di Maria, who sent a fine finish into the far corner to seal maximum points for league leaders.
The game did end on a sour note for PSG as Neymar was forced after a nasty challenge in the closing stages of the encounter.
There was enough time for PSG to bag a third goal, with Messi completing a hat-trick of assist to set up Marquinhos for his secong goal of the day in second-half stoppage time.
Here are PSG's highest earners this season:
