Ludogorets Razgrad 1 - 3 Paris Saint Germain: Edinson Cavani helps Paris St Germain battle back to beat Ludogorets

Posted Thursday, September 29, 2016 by PA

Edinson Cavani scored twice as Paris St Germain secured their first win of this season's Champions League with a 3-1 victory against Ludogorets.

Unai Emery's men, who had drawn their opening group game with Arsenal and headed to Bulgaria on the back of a 2-0 Ligue 1 defeat to Toulouse at the weekend, fell behind to Natanael's 15th-minute goal.

But PSG fought back, with Blaise Matuidi equalising before a brace from Cavani secured the victory that keeps them level with Arsenal on four points in Group A.

The visitors found themselves on the back foot early on when Svetoslav Dyakov was fouled by Thiago Motta on the edge of the area and from the free-kick Natanael fired past goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

But PSG went in level at the break having equalised in the 41st minute when Matuidi got on the end of a through ball from Marco Verratti and slotted home.

The goal appeared to give the travelling side a new lease of life and as Ludogorets began to tire, PSG's strength and experience shone through.

And in the 55th minute, the Ligue 1 champions took the lead when Angel Di Maria's free-kick picked out Cavani and the 29-year-old striker powered a header past goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov.

Ludogorets had the chance to get themselves back in it just two minutes later when Motta brought down Marcelinho in the penalty box but Cosmin Moti's spot-kick was saved by Areola, who dived down to his right to palm the ball away.

To add to Ludogorets' misery, Cavani pounced for his second two minutes later. Lucas Moura pulled the ball back from the byline and the Uruguay forward got across his marker at the front post to rifle into the top corner.

PSG host Basle in their next Champions League game, while Ludogorets travel to London to face Arsenal.