Neymar one of five sent off as Marseille win at Paris St Germain
Florian Thauvin’s first-half goal won it.
Neymar was one of five players sent off after a mass stoppage-time brawl marred Paris St Germain’s 1-0 defeat to Marseille at the Parc des Princes.
Brazilian Neymar, the world’s most expensive player, was shown a straight red for his part in an ugly fracas at the end of an ill-tempered game, which was settled by Florian Thauvin’s first-half goal.
Neymar’s team-mates Leandro Paredes and Layvin Kurzawa were also shown red cards by referee Jerome Brisard, as were Marseille pair Jordan Amavi and Dario Benedetto.
Neymar was the fifth player sent off after Brisard had consulted VAR, with replay footage clearly showing the forward punch Alvaro Gonzalez on the back of the head.
It was later reported that Neymar accused Gonzalez of racism as he walked off the pitch.
PSG’s defeat leaves the reigning champions without a win in their first two Ligue 1 matches and they currently sit in the relegation zone.
Marseille are fifth after a second straight win, one point behind early leaders Rennes.
Sehrou Guirassy’s first-half double helped Rennes to a 4-2 win at Nimes.
Rennes forward Guirassy struck either side of Adrian Cubas’ equaliser for Nimes, who levelled it up for a second time through Zinedine Ferhat early in the second period.
Nayef Aguerd fired Rennes back in front and Benjamin Bourigeaud made sure for the visitors in time added on.
Monaco sit second on goal difference after three matches after Willem Geubbels’ second-half goal secured them a 2-1 home win against Nantes.
Teenage forward Geubbels struck midway through the second half, four minutes after Nantes midfielder Ludovic Blas had cancelled out Sofiane Diop’s early opener for Monaco.
Luiz Araujo’s late goal clinched Lille a 1-0 home win against Metz and lifted them up to third in the table.
The Brazilian winger fired home the only goal in the 88th minute to leave Metz without a point or a goal from their first two matches.
Lens moved up to sixth after a 3-2 win at Lens, who had Loic Bade sent off in added time.
Gael Kakuta’s penalty and Facundo Medina gave Lens a 2-1 half-time lead after Adrian Grbic’s early opener for Lorient.
Yoane Wissa converted a penalty for Lorient in the closing stages after he had been fouled by Bade, who was shown his second yellow card.
Stephane Bahoken’s second-half effort sealed Angers 1-0 home win against Reims with both sides finishing the game with 10 men.
Reims’ Belgian defender Wout Faes was sent off for his challenge on Antonin Bobichon just before the break and Angers’ Romain Thomas received a second yellow card in the second half.
Dijon also had a player sent off in their 2-0 home defeat to Brest as Roger Assale was shown a straight red for his second-half challenge on Jean-Kevin Duverne.
Romain Perraud’s first-half goal and Irvin Cardona’s brilliant volley in the closing stages sealed Brest’s victory.
In LaLiga, Valencia launched their new season with a 4-2 home win against Levante.
Jose Luis Morales twice gave Levante a first-half lead, but Gabriel and Maxi Gomez equalised for Valencia before Manu Vallejo clinched it for the home side with two goals in the final 15 minutes.
Cristian Tello’s stoppage-time goal clinched Real Betis a 1-0 opening-day win at Alaves.
Real Valladolid drew 1-1 at home against Real Sociedad and Villarreal were also held 1-1 at home by newly-promoted Huesca.