PSG vs Reims score, result, highlights: Neymar scores, but Folarin Balogun equalizes on final kick

Simon Borg

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PSG vs Reims score, result, highlights: Neymar scores, but Folarin Balogun equalizes on final kick image

PSG dropped more points in Ligue 1 after conceding a stoppage-time goal to settle for a 1-1 home draw against mid-table Stade de Reims. The defending Ligue 1 champions now have two losses and a draw in their last four league matches.

Despite playing the final 30 minutes with 10 men, PSG were seconds away from sealing a big victory. But a poor PSG giveaway in midfield led to a through-ball for Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun, who rounded the goalkeeper and scored a late 1-1 equalizer.

After a listless first half dominated by Reims, PSG responded after the break, and Neymar gave hosts PSG the lead when a deflected Lionel Messi shot fell to him in the penalty area. Neymar made the Reims goalkeeper commit before calmly lofting the ball into the net. 

But thing got problematic for PSG when second-half sub Marco Verratti, who was making his comeback from injury after missing four straight matches, was sent off for a studs-up tackle into the ankle of a Reims player. The challenge initially earned him a yellow card until the referee saw the replay and changed it to a red card.

However, Reims could not take advantage of the numerical advantage, and PSG looked like they would come away with the victory until the giveaway that ultimately sprung the 21-year-old Balogun, who had the expert finish around the goalkeeper for his 11th goal of the Ligue 1 season.

PSG now have a mere three-point lead over second-place Lens with 20 matches played thus far, and another round of midweek matches coming. The Parisians travel to face Montpellier on Wednesday, February 1, while Lens are at home against OGC Nice.

Reims remain undefeated under manager Will Still, stretching their unbeaten run to 12 league matches and 14 overall in all competitions. The draw lifted them to 11th place, 11 points away from the relegation zone.

MORE: PSG 2023 fixture schedule and results

PSG vs Reims final score

  1H 2H Final
PSG 0 1 1
Reims 0 1 1

Goals:
PSG — Neymar — 51st min.
REI — Folarin Balogun (Kamory Doumbia)— 95th+ min.

Red card: Marco Verratti (PSG, 59')

Lineups: 

PSG (4-3-3, right to left): 99-Donnarumma (GK) — 2-Hakimi, 5-Marquinhos, 4-Ramos, 14-Bernat — 28-Soler (15-Danilo, 63'), 8-Ruiz (18-Sanches, 68'), 17-Vitinha (6-Verratti, 46') — 30-Messi, 10-Neymar (33-Zaire-Emery, 84'), 7-Mbappe

Reims (4-2-3-1, right to left): 94-Diouf (GK) — 32-Foket, 24-Agbadou, 5-Abdelhamid, 25-De Smet — 21-Matusiwa, 8-Cajuste (17-Lopy, 83') — 39-Ito (19-Van Bergen, 83'), 15-Munetsi (3-Doumbia, 75'), 70-Flips (10-Zeneli, 75') — 29-Balogun

PSG stumble again

It's a scenario we'd grown accustomed to seeing in recent seasons under manager Mauricio Pochettino: PSG inexplicably coming out flat or failing to stand up to opponents who were up for the fight. And new boss Christophe Galtier seemed to have eradicated that bad habit until the start of 2023 which has seen PSG pick up two losses and a draw in their last four matches.

"In this moment too many players are not playing at their level after returning from the World Cup," Galtier told the media postgame. "One cannot be satisfied with our play and our results. There will be decisions to take to find a team that's a lot more solid, and resembles a high-level team."

Messi, Mbappe, Neymar face scrutiny

It would seem like Galtier is pointing the finger directly at his three stars, who have produced little since returning from the World Cup. In the five league matches since the end of the World Cup, this has been their output: 

  • Neymar: 4 matches, 1 goal, 1 assist, 1 red card
  • Mbappe: 4 matches, 1 penalty goal
  • Messi: 3 matches, 1 goal

The draw against Reims was the first time since returning from Qatar that all three started together, but it didn't help give PSG the upperhand at least in the first half, during which all three were invisible. They were more active in the second 45 minutes and Neymar took advantage of a lucky deflection for the goal. But outside of a half chance for Mbappe and Messi, there wasn't much else to highlight.

Will Still taking Ligue 1 by storm

Born in Belgium to English parents, Stade de Reims manager Will Still is only 30 years old, but he has his club on a 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions. His story is catching the attention of many across Europe due to his age, his language skills, and his revelation that he was inspired to enter coaching from the popular Football Manager video game.

After starting out as a video analyst, an assistant coach, and a couple of caretaker spells with Belgian clubs, Still joined Stade de Reims as an assistant to start the 2021/22 season. After manager Oscar Garcia was fired in October, Still was given the interim tag which was ultimately removed after the start of his current undefeated run. That streak now includes two draws against PSG and leaves Stade de Reims in good position to remain in Ligue 1 and avoid relegation.

PSG vs Reims live updates, highlights from Ligue 1

Final: PSG 1-1 Stade de Reims

Final: Reims goal scoring hero Folarin Balogun and star midfielder Marshall Munetsi take advantage and snap a photo with Prime Video analyst and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.

95th min.: Goal Reims! On the last kick of the game, Reims intercept a misplaced PSG pass, and Folarin Balogun was put through on goal. He had the legs to get around the goalkeeper and score. What a ball into Balgun by Kamory Doumbia.

90th min.: Five minutes of stoppage time.

90th min.: Chance Reims! It's Mitchell Van Bergen with a shot that nearly hit the target. Van Bergen has his head in his hands. He knew he was close on a potential equalizer.

84th min.: SUB PSG. Warren Zaire-Emery replaces Neymar, who put in a nice shift in this second half.

83rd min.: SUBS Reims. The visitors bring on Dion Lopy and Mitchell Van Bergen for Junya Ito and Jens Cajuste in midfield.

83rd min.: PSG chance! What a play by the Big Three. First there was an Mbappe shot that was saved. Then Messi kept the play alive. Neymar fought for the ball and crossed it. Messi got an other shot off just wide left. Good job by Christophe Galtier for not taking any of them off after the red card.

75th min.: SUBS Reims. After an off-target shot by Folarin Balogun, two fresh players come on for the visitors. Arber Zeneli and Kamory Doumbia are in for Marshall Munetsi and Alexis Flips and they're expected to give some new ideas to the Reims attack.

73rd min.: Neymar with the header clearance in his own box! Notable because it shows you the length the champions will go to preserve this win.

68th min.: SUB PSG. Renato Sanches is on for Fabian Ruiz. Between Sanches and Danilo now on the field, PSG have introduced some real steel and range to help defend this lead with 20 minutes left.

65th min.: Goal disallowed for PSG. Messi passes to an overlapping Hakimi who scores. But Hakimi was offside on the play despite a great effort to finish. You wouldn't know that PSG is down a man at this point.

63rd min.: SUB PSG. Instead of taking off a forward, as most coaches would do, PSG manager Christophe Galtier puts Danilo in for Carlos Soler in midfield.

59th min.: Red card to PSG's Verratti! After checking the video, the referee takes the yellow away and gives Verratti the red card. It's the right call.

57th min.: Yellow card to PSG's Marco Verratti. It's a late, studs-up tackle on Junya Ito's ankle on the play that led to the scratched penalty. That could be a red card, and Verratti knows it.

55th min.: Penalty for Reims! But the replays show that there was an offside on the play. Marquinhos brought down Folarin Balogun in the box, but Balogun's offside position kills the play.

51st min.: Goal PSG! This is a different PSG team to start the second half. A shot by Messi was deflected right to Neymar, who was patient before lofting it into the goal. Cool finish by the Brazilian.

46th min.: We're back underway. Marco Verratti is in fact in the game in place of Vitinha.

Halftime: PSG 0-0 Stade de Reims

Halftime: Impressive performance from the visitors who are not intimidated in the least. All 11 Reims players are alert, connected, and unfazed by the moment. You can tell why they've gone undefeated in 11 straight matches under manager Will Still.

What are Reims doing well? The midfield trio of Matusiwa-Cajuste-Munetsi have taken PSG's midfield out of the game. PSG might be forced to get Marco Verratti and perhaps Danilo into the midfield at halftime.

Then in the back, the Reims defenders have anticipated, tackled and cleared well. Centre-back Emmanuel Agbadou has stood out. The Reims goalkeeper Diouf hasn't really been called into question. 

35th min.: Yellow card to Reims winger Junya Ito for a hard foul on Neymar along the sidelines.

30th min.: Chance Reims! Marshall Munetsi is the Man of the Match so far and he tries an overhead kick in the box! He's been making several runs into the box. Reims are feeling it at the Parc des Princes.

Very little intensity, aggression, or reaction from PSG. Feels like an off-night for PSG. Messi is invisible. If it weren't for this photo you wouldn't know he's on the field.

28th min.: Yellow card to PSG's Marquinhos. He pulls down Junya Ito to stop a counterattack. It's the right call from the referee.

24th min.: Chance Reims! Jens Cajuste puts a beautiful through ball into Junya Ito and his attempted cross is blocked by Gigi Donnarumma for a corner kick. Moments later it's Marshall Munetsi with a shot that's off the mark. Reims manager Will Still will be very pleased.

17th min.: Chance Reims! Gigi Donnarumma comes up with the big save on a run into the box from holding mid Marshall Munetsi. He poked the ball on goal from close range but the PSG 'keeper was up to the challenge.

15th min.: Chance Reims! Right-back Thomas Foket curls a ball from the right into the box and Junya Ito fires the volley which hits the side netting. The visitors are for real.

11th min.: Chance Reims again! Ball from the left into Folarin Balogun in the box, and the Arsenal loanee fires a shot on goal which PSG's Gigi Donnarumma has to stop.

10th min.: Chance Reims! Alexis Flips dishes it to Folarin Balogun on the run and his volley is tipped by Gigi Donnarumma over the bar. But Flips was judged to be offside. Nonetheless, Reims have sent a message early on here.

5th min.: PSG recover from the early scare and they're keeping possession, but Stade de Reims are comfortable so far, and they're pressing high when PSG try to play out of the back.

1st min.: Chance Reims! The visitors were pressing PSG 'keeper Donnarumma from the start and Marshall Munetsi intercepts a pass, but Donnarumma recovers to snag the ball after a heavy touch.

1st min.: PSG kick off. We're underway. PSG in their dark kits and Reims in their traditional red and white kits.

5 mins from kickoff: Teams are out. Kickoff is coming up shortly.

15 mins from kickoff: Warmups are winding down. Here's Messi and Neymar going through their routine together.

And here's one Neymar moment in practice that got Mbappe's attention.

30 mins from kickoff: This is the first time since the World Cup that PSG's three stars will be lining up from the start together. Here's their record:

50 mins from kickoff: PSG's lineup is out. The Big 3 start and Fabian Ruiz gets the start over Renato Sanches.

55 mins from kickoff: There's already some good news for PSG supporters before the match kicks off with news that centre-back Milan Skriniar will be a PSG player, joining from Inter Milan.

70 mins from kickoff: Here's the PSG arrival at the Parc des Princes. Lineups are coming up next.

85 mins from kickoff: PSG will be wearing their fourth jersey for the match with the player names written in Mandarin to commemorate the Chinese New Year.

And here's how you write "Messi" in Mandarin:

115 mins from kickoff: Kylian Mbappe is just four goals away from tying Edinson Cavani for most goals scored in a PSG shirt. He became the first PSG player in history to net five goals in a game last time out in the Coupe de France in a 7-0 win over Pays de Cassel.

120 mins from kickoff: Not familiar with Stade de Reims manager Will Still? Here's a taste below (Warning: Audible expletives):

MORE: Lionel Messi stats in 2022/23 season

PSG vs Reims lineups

Midfielder Marco Verratti is back in the squad after missing four matches in all competitions with a thigh issue, but defenders Presnel Kimpembe (Achilles) and Nordi Mukiele need more time. Both have been training separately from the group.

Left-back Nuno Mendes played 45 minutes in the Coupe de France after a spell out with a hamstring injury, but he will be rested and was not included in the squad. Pablo Sarabia was recently transferred to Premier League side Wolves.

PSG starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 99-Gigi Donnarumma (GK) — 2-Achraf Hakimi, 5-Marquinhos, 4-Sergio Ramos, 14-Juan Bernat — 28-Carlos Soler, 8-Fabian Ruiz, 17-Vitinha — 30-Lionel Messi, 10-Neymar, 7-Kylian Mbappe

PSG subs (9): 1-Keylor Navas (GK), 15-Danilo Pereira, 18-Renato Sanches, 6-Marco Verratti, 31-El Chadaille Bitshiabu, 33-Warren Zaire-Emery, 35-Ismael Gharbi, 29-Timothee Pembele, 44-Hugo Ekitike 

Manager Will Still will have midfielder Jens Cajuste back from suspension, but forward Noah Holm is still out (knee sprain), and Samuel Koeberle is also injured (thigh). Starting left-back Thibault De Smet has overcome a knock to his foot, and Mitchell van Bergen is back from illness, but only De Smet starts.

Little-used forward Kaj Sierhuis, winger Nathanael Mbuku, and left-back Bradley Locko did not make the squad, while backup goalkeeper Patrick Pentz was transferred to Bayer Leverkusen. 

Reims starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): 94-Yehvann Diouf (GK) — 32-Thomas Foket, 24-Emmanuel Agbadou, 5-Yunis Abdelhamid, 25-Thibault De Smet — 21-Azor Matusiwa, 15-Marshall Munetsi — 39-Junya Ito, 8-Jens Cajuste, 70-Alexis Flips — 29-Folarin Balogun

Reims subs (9): 30-Nicolas Penneteau (GK), 6-Andreaw Gravillon, 4-Maxime Busi,  18-Martin Adeline, 17-Dion Lopy, 19-Mitchell Van Bergen, 99-Rafik Guitane, 10-Arber Zeneli, 3-Kamory Doumbia

MORE: Updated Ligue 1 top scorer table

PSG vs Reims live stream, TV channel

PSG are unbeaten in 21 straight matches in all competitions at the Parc des Princes, and 31 straight Ligue 1 matches at home.

  Date Time TV Channel Streaming
Australia Mon, Jan. 30 06:45 AEDT beIN Sports beIN Sports Connect
Canada Sun, Jan. 29 14:45 ET beIN Sports fuboTV, beIN Sports Connect2
Hong Kong Mon, Jan. 30 03:45 HKT beIN Sports beIN Sports Connect,
M Plus Live, Now Player
India Mon, Jan. 30 01:15 IST Sports18 Sports18
Malaysia Mon, Jan. 30 03:45 MYT  — beIN Sports Connect, sooka
New Zealand Mon, Jan. 30 08:45 NZDT Sky Sports 7 beIN beIN Sports Connect
Singapore Mon, Jan. 30 03:45 SST  — beIN Sports Connect,
Star Hub Sports+
UK Sun, Jan. 29 19:45 BST  BT Sport 2 BT Sport site/app
USA Sun, Jan. 29 14:45 ET  beIN Sports fuboTV, beIN Sports Connect

UK: BT Sport will carry the match in the UK via its TV and online channels.

USA: PSG vs. Stade de Reims will be televised by beIN Sports, which can be streamed on fuboTV and on beIN's streaming platform.

Canada: The match will be carried by beIN Sports, which can be streamed live on fuboTV or the beIN Sports Connect platform.

Australia: Fans in Australia can watch the match on beIN Sports and its beIN Sports Connect service.

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Simon Borg

Simon Borg Photo

Simon Borg is a senior editor at The Sporting News who has covered football/soccer for over a decade. A supporter of Italian club Parma Calcio from his years growing up in Europe, he was previously a long-time member of Major League Soccer's digital media team, as a multimedia content producer, on-air personality, and Editor-in-Chief. Based in New York City, Borg is multilingual and has covered the domestic and global scene for TSN since 2021.