Mbappe scores as PSG defeat Urawa in Japan

Paris Saint-Germain won 3-0 over Urawa Reds in the J-League on Saturday, making it two wins out of two on their Japanese tour.
Mbappe was the only PSG player to start in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Kawasaki Frontale in Tokyo, with manager Christophe Galtier benching famous strikers Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Mbappe was still too much for Urawa to handle in the 35th minute, slamming home a well-taken goal from a close angle.

Galtier substituted Messi and Neymar for the final 30 minutes, but neither could score in front of a crowd of 61,000 in Saitama.

PSG’s other two goals came from Pablo Sarabia and Arnaud Kalimuendo. They play Gamba Osaka in Osaka on Monday in the final game of their tour.

Warren Zaire-Emery, who is only 16 years and four months old, started with Marco Verratti in midfield.

PSG got off to a slow start, as Yusuke Matsuo almost gave Urawa the lead in the third minute after sneaking past the defense.

Just minutes later, goalkeeper Keylor Navas pushed over a chance from Atsuki Ito, but Sarabia put PSG on the right track with a stunning opening in the 16th minute.

Mbappe sent the ball to Mauro Icardi, who set it up for Sarabia to score from just beyond the box.

In the 35th minute, Mbappe made it two, getting the ball wide on the left and cutting inside before firing the ball past the goalkeeper.

In the 58th minute, Messi and Neymar came on and teamed to set up Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe to put the ball in the net, only for the linesman to call for offside.

PSG’s third goal came in the 76th minute, just moments after Nuno Mendes hit the post.