Sergio Ramos was sent off as 10-man Paris Saint-Germain scrapped to a 1-1 draw against struggling Lorient at Stade du Moustoir.
On as a half-time substitute, the former Real Madrid defender was making only his third appearance for Mauricio Pochettino’s side since making the switch from Santiago Bernabeu.
However, his involvement lasted just 40 minutes as he was dismissed for two bookable offences, while it took a stoppage-time Mauro Icardi header to spare his team-mates’ blushes.
Thomas Monconduit’s thumping strike just before half-time had looked like it would be enough for the hosts, who at least ended their worst ever run of seven successive defeats.
Seeking a 12th win in 14 league meetings with Lorient, PSG began brightly and almost took the lead in the second minute when Icardi steered Nuno Mendes’ cross wide.
At the other end, the hosts squandered a glorious opportunity as Terem Moffi raced clear and sold Keylor Navas the dummy, only to chip the ball straight at the grounded goalkeeper.
The woodwork then came to Lorient’s rescue as a fierce Lionel Messi volley rattled the post from Icardi’s lay-off.
But the hosts got their just rewards for a positive first-half performance that yielded 11 attempts, Enzo Le Fee teeing up Monconduit, who beat Navas with a thumping 20-yard strike off the underside of the crossbar.
PSG turned up the pressure after the break and Angel Di Maria somehow fired over from 10 yards out with the goal at his mercy, before Paul Nardi produced brilliant reflexes to deny Messi from what was a first shot on target for the visitors.
The league leaders were reduced to 10 men as Ramos was shown a second yellow card for a body check on Moffi, yet they snatched a last-gasp equaliser with Icardi heading in from Achraf Hakimi’s cross.
What does it mean? PSG blushes spared
The runaway leaders were just moments away from a shock defeat, but for the intervention of Icardi.
It took until the 80th minute for Pochettino’s side to register their first shot on target, although their dominance in possession and quality did eventually tell.
But spare a thought for Lorient, who held their own admirably and were seconds away from climbing out of the bottom three.
During what proved a tough day for the visitors, Gueye was one of their better performers in the middle of the park.
The former Everton man was involved in the most duels for his side (18), while registering a game-high five tackles.
Only Presnel Kimpembe (seven) gained possession more often for PSG than Gueye (six), who also completed 92.4 per cent of his attempted passes.
Red card for Ramos
Ramos’ difficult start to life in the French capital continued as he received his first red card for PSG.
The Real Madrid defender, who has endured a string of muscular problems, was appearing in consecutive games for the first time since making the switch from Spain.
But he will now be absent again for Pochettino after two silly bookings.
Key Opta Facts:
– Lorient have avoided defeat in back to back L1 games against Paris (W1 D1) for the first time since September 2009-August 2011 (five in a row).
– Lorient have won none of their last 12 Ligue 1 games (D4 L8), equalling their longest winless run in the top-flight, established once before in December 2011-March 2012.
– PSG have lost none of their past 10 Ligue 1 games (W6 D4), only Inter and Real Madrid are on a longer unbeaten run in the top five European Leagues (11 each). On the other hand, Paris have been held to three draws in their past four league games (W1), as many as their previous 37 (W29 D5).
– PSG conceded the opening goal for the 13th time in Ligue 1 in 2021, once more than in their previous two calendar years combined in the top flight (six in 2020 and six in 2019).
– Messi has hit tge woodwork six times in Ligue 1 this season, at least twice more than any other player in the competition. In the top five European Leagues, only Bryan Mbeumo has hit the woodwork more often in 2021-22 (seven).
– Ramos received his 20th red card in the top five European Leagues since his debut in 2003-04, at least seven more than any other player over the period. He is PSG’s first substitute to be sent off in an away league game since Ronan Le Crom against Lorient in May 2013.
What’s next?
PSG return to action in the Coupe de France on January 3 when they travel to fourth-tier Vannes. Meanwhile, Lorient do not play until five days later, when they head to reigning Ligue 1 champions Lille.
A solid display from Gueye
