Di Maria snatches point for PSG with stoppage time beauty

Big-spending Paris St Germain avoided a defeat that could have derailed their Champions League campaign when Angel Di Maria curled in a delightful stoppage-time equaliser to rescue a 2-2 draw at home to Napoli on Wednesday (October 25).

Napoli, more coherent as a team despite boasting less individual talent, went ahead in the Group C game with a Lorenzo Insigne goal in the 29th minute before PSG, who have won their opening 10 league games, equalised with a Mario Rui own goal in the 61st minute.

An opportunist goal by Dries Mertens put Napoli back in front in the 77th minute but they were denied a shock win when Di Maria collected the ball on the edge of the area and curled a stunning effort past David Ospina in the third minute of stoppage time.

The drew left Napoli with five points from three games and PSG on four with Liverpool top with six. Defeat for the French side would have left them three points adrift of the leading pair.

It was a cruel finale for Ospina, who had kept PSG at bay with several outstanding saves.

Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti was returning to the Parc des Princes for the first time since leading Bayern Munich to a 3-0 defeat there last September. He was sacked by the Germans the following day.

The visitors were heading for top spot until Di Maria's goal threw the group wide open and provided a fitting end to an enthralling match.