Jorginho missed a penalty when Italy draw 0-0 with Switzerland in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday September 5, a result that meant Roberto Mancini's side equaled the world record for consecutive undefeated international matches in a row. Italy is now undefeated in 36 consecutive games, equaling Brazil's record set between 1993 and 1996. The result could have been more positive if Jorginho had converted from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute after a foul by Domenico Berardi, but the Chelsea midfielder was thwarted by goalkeeper Yan Sommer. Italy had other opportunities to snatch the victory from them, but had to settle for a draw, which means they remain top of qualification Group C on 11 points from five games, four ahead of the second-placed Swiss, who have two matches in hand on the Azzurri.Also Read- Cristiano Ronaldo becomes all-time highest goalscorer in international football with brace against Ireland Mancini's team entered the game after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Bulgaria on Thursday, in their first match becoming European champions two months ago. But the visiting team did much better in the first half in Basel and should have taken the lead through good chances for Berardi and Lorenzo Insigne, both of whom were denied by Sommer. The best chance of the night came seven minutes of the second half after Ricardo Rodriguez trying to atone for being caught in possession, lunged in on Berardi to award a penalty. Jorginho, who missed his spot kick in in Italy's penalty shootout victory over England in the Euro 2020 final, stepped up but put his effort far to close to Sommer, who made an easy save. European champions Italy set a new world record of 36 international matches unbeaten with their draw in Switzerland Congratulations @Azzurri_En pic.twitter.com/VxL9CERn8D— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) September 6, 2021Sommer proved impossible to breach as he denied Insigne again to leave Italy heading home having been frustrated for the second successive qualifier.Also Read- Tokyo Paralympics: Avani Lekhara becomes first Indian woman to win 2 medals at single Games edition
Lionel Messi failed to provide Paris St Germain with any sparkle as the Ligue 1 team's potent attacking trio lacked inspiration in a disappointing 1-1 draw at Club Brugge in their Champions League opener on Wednesday.In his debut with the French team, the Argentine forward managed to surpass him, but he was far from his brilliant best next to the disappointing Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, who set up Ander Herrera for PSG's first-half opener before being replaced injured after the break.Brugge, who levelled before halftime through Hans Vanaken, were more powerful and had the best chances against a PSG that lacks quality and defensive focus.The result left Paris Saint-Germain and Bruges two points behind Group A leaders Manchester City after the Premier League champions crushed RB Leipzig 6-3."We didn't play a fantastic game but to be fair we did enough to win, we deserved to win," said Herrera."Maybe they had opportunities at the beginning of the second half but I think we controlled the match, we had a lot of chances."Also Read- Lionel Messi surpasses Pele's goalscoring record, leads Argentina to win in World Cup qualifiersBrugge keeper Simon Mignolet disagreed."I didn't have a lot of work, I just pulled a couple of saves. We played as a compact side, it was the right approach," the Belgian said.With Messi, Neymar and Mbappe together on the pitch for the first time, PSG made a confident start but Brugge responded well.FULL-TIME: Club Brugge 1-1 @PSG_English The points are shared on Matchday 1 of the @ChampionsLeague. #UCL | #CLUPSG pic.twitter.com/P3EVbjqQxP— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) September 15, 2021Mbappe broke the left flank and his low cross was met by Herrera, and opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a low shot to score his fourth goal this season-his third goal in the last two games.Messi set up Mbappe, who went close in the 23rd minute with an angled shot that was deflected by Mignolet but PSG were lulled into a false sense of security.Also Read- LaLiga will not be weakened by Lionel Messi's exit, says ex-Real Madrid player Fernando Morientes
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino admitted that his star-studded squad is still under construction, on the eve of hosting Manchester City in their Group A match in Paris on Tuesday.Pochettino remained evasive about who is PSG first-choice goalkeeper and whether Keylor Navas or new signing Gianluigi Donnarumma will start against City.Up front, Pochettino expects Lionel Messi to return in attack as the Argentine shakes off a minor knee injury that sidelined him for two games. Messi's last Champions League goal for Barcelona came against Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes in last season's last-16. He had a penalty saved in that game by Navas.Paris Saint-Germain opened their Champions League campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw with Club Brugge two weeks ago.Also Read- Virat Kohli to quit RCB captaincy after the end of IPL 2021 season
