Mueez Ajao
– Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in his first game in Saudi Arabia and Lionel Messi was also on the scoresheet as Paris St-Germain edged a Riyadh All-Star XI 5-4 in a thrilling contest.
– The exhibition match in the Saudi capital saw two of the greatest players of all time sharing a pitch together for possibly the final time.
– Messi opened the scoring and Ronaldo netted twice for 2-2 at half-time.
Also Read: Ronaldo to captain Saudi All-Star XI in friendly against PSG
– Both players were substituted off just after the hour mark.
– The two PSG centre-backs were also on the scoresheet as Sergio Ramos added to Marquinhos’ delightful finish in the opening period.
– But the French side played much of the game with 10 men as Juan Bernat received a straight red card for hauling down Saudi international Salem Al Dawsari and Neymar also missed a penalty in a breathtaking first half.
– Jang Hyun-soo’s header drew the All-Star XI level at 3-3, but Kylian Mbappe’s penalty and substitute Hugo Ekitike’s composed effort put PSG out of sight.
– Anderson Talisca drilled in a long-range consolation late in injury-time but there was not time for a dramatic equaliser.
FULL-TIME: Riyadh Season Team 4-5 Paris Saint-Germain! ✅
A win at the end of the #PSGQatarTour2023. ❤️💙
⚽️ Leo Messi
⚽️ @marquinhos_m5
⚽️ @SergioRamos
⚽️ @KMbappe
⚽️ @hekitike9 #PSGRiyadhSeasonTeam pic.twitter.com/39z794iE54
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 19, 2023
