PSG 3-0 Lille: Ousmane Dembélé shines as PSG take down Lille

Paris Saint-Germain are set to host fourth-placed Lille at the Parc des Princes on Matchday 18 of Ligue 1 McDonald's. The European Champions will look to bounce back from their shock 1-0 Coupe de France defeat against city rivals Paris FC in the Round of 32.

Earlier in the season, Les Parisiens were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Les Dogues as Ethan Mbappé's late strike rescued a point for Bruno Génésio's team. Earlier this week, Olivier Giroud and his teammates fell at home against Lyon in the Coupe de France.

For this game, Luis Enrique will have to do without six first-team players, with Joao Neves, Matvey Safonov, Kang-In Lee and Quentin Ndjantou all recovering from injuries. Meanwhile, Achraf Hakimi and Ibrahim Mbaye are set to represent their respective countries in the upcoming AFCON final. Therefore, Senny Mayulu will start in midfield alongside Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz while Doué, Kvaratskhelia and Dembélé lead the offensive line.

Paris Saint-Germain's starting XI: Chevalier; Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Warren Zaire-Emery; Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Mayulu; Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, Doué.

Lille's starting XI: Ozer; Ngoy, Mandi, Perraud, Santos; Mukau, Bentaleb, Mbappé, Haraldsson, Bouaddi, Giroud.

Ousmane Dembélé bagged brace as PSG see off Lille

Less than two minutes into the clash and Lille had a massive opportunity to score but Olivier Giroud's chip hit the crossbar, on the follow-up, Ethan Mbappé's strike was remarkably saved by Chevalier who kept his side level (2'). However, a long range strike from Ousmane Dembélé gave the lead to PSG after a difficult start (13').

While the managed to get more of the ball, Lille was the most dangerous side in this game and was able to create several opportunities to score. Nonetheless, Luis Enrique and his side were able to carry their one-goal advantage into the break.

A halftime substitution for PSG helped the hosts regain complete control of the game with Lille now sitting deep in front of their box with little chance to break forward. Shortly, Ousmane Dembélé got himself a brace after a wonderful goal. After dribbling past three Lille defender in the box, he fantastically chipped the ball to score and give a two-goal cushion to his side (64').

In the last minutes of the game, a massive mistake from Lille gifted Bradley Barcola his sixth goal of the Ligue 1 campaign, capping off an important success at home (90+2').

Up next, Paris will travel to Portugal to face Sporting Lisbon in the League Phase of the Champions League. The Parisians will have the chance to secure a top 8 finish with a win.