Angel Di Maria’s brilliant stoppage-time effort rescued a point for Paris Saint-Germain in a 2-2 draw with Napoli in Champions League Group C.
A sign this might not be PSG’s night arrived in the first two minutes as Neymar sustained an injury having been kicked by Edinson Cavani when the two got in each other’s way.
Neymar was fine to continue and his team had plenty of chances, with Cavani missing a pair of opportunities, though PSG were given a warning when Mertens struck the crossbar.
Insigne was the next Napoli attacker to get behind the PSG backline in the 29th minute, and he collected Jose Callejon’s delicious pass and lifted a finish over Alphonse Areola and into the net.
Ospina denied Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and then Meunier either side of the break as PSG pushed for a leveller.
With Insigne having been replaced seemingly due to an injury, PSG got their reward when a lovely move ended with a sliding Mario Rui diverting Meunier’s cross past a wrong-footed Ospina.
Napoli would regain the lead through the quick-thinking Mertens after Marquinhos failed to deal with Fabian Ruiz’s initial effort.
But Di Maria was afforded just enough space on his left foot to claim a late equaliser when he bent an unstoppable shot into the far corner from just outside the box.
What does it mean? Despite domestic dominance, PSG still not firing in Europe
Nobody can touch reigning Ligue 1 champions PSG, who have won each of their first 10 games in the division, but they have collected only four points from three matches in the Champions League. They may need to win in Naples next time out if they are to claim a top-two place in Group C.
Lethal Insigne continues fine form
Napoli went ahead through a cool finish from Insigne, who has now scored five goals in seven Champions League games. His side might have been out of sight early in the second half had he stayed on the pitch.
Cavani flops against former club
This was the first time Cavani had faced Napoli since leaving in 2013 and he entered the game with a glowing reference from president Aurelio De Laurentiis. His popularity among the Napoli faithful may have only increased after he spurned a pair of good first-half opportunities, while he was fortunate the offside flag spared his blushes when he somehow missed the target early in the second period.
What’s next?
PSG will bid to make it 11 Ligue 1 wins in a row when they visit arch-rivals Marseille on Sunday. Napoli also have a mouth-watering league fixture that day when they host Roma.
