Lionel Messi's Champions League debut for PSG: Live score, updates, highlights

All eyes will be on Bruges, Belgium, where we'll finally see Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe on the field at the same time as Paris Saint-Germain opens UEFA Champions League group play against Club Brugge. The star trio is in the starting lineup for the current French league leaders.

The match will mark Messi's Champions League debut for PSG after signing for the club on Aug. 10 . The 34-year-old has only played a total of 24 minutes for the club, debuting in Ligue 1 in a 2-0 win over Stade de Reims on Aug. 29.

In addition to Messi, PSG went on a spending spree during the summer, acquiring the final pieces that it hopes will lead the club to its first UEFA Champions League title. Right back Achraf Hakimi and midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum are two of the other new arrivals who will be starting with Messi against Club Brugge.

PSG has been a contender for the Champions League title in recent years, but it has fallen short time and again. Neymar led the team to the 2020 final, but it lost 1-0 against Bayern Munich and the club was tripped up by Manchester City in the 2021 semifinals.

Sporting News will follow Club Brugge vs. PSG live, providing scoring updates, commentary and highlights as they become available.

Halftime: The match started like it was going to follow an obvious script: PSG attacking and Club Brugge looking for a counter. And when PSG followed the script, going up 1-0 on a great play by Mbappe and sensational finish from Ander Herrera. But Club Brugge didn't just fold. PSG was seemingly taken aback by the reaction. Not only did the local team equalize, but it deserved the lead. PSG is losing the midfield battle and frankly it's being outworked and out-competed by the Belgian side.

44th min.: De Ketelaere causing havoc again in the PSG box. This time his ball doesn't reach his teammate. Brugge is going all out for the win.

40th min.: Mbappe injured. Brugge defender Stanley Nsoki steps on the heel of Mbappe and he's walking gingerly back on the field after getting treatment.

39th min.: Another save by Navas! This time it's De Ketelaere with a solo run and a shot that forces a save.

33rd min.: Brugge chance! A Vanaken free kick is stopped by a diving Keylor Navas and shortly after a Kamal Sowah shot hits the side netting. Brugge is feeling it.

29th min.: Messi hits the woodwork! Patented run from Messi down the right and he curls a left-footed shot off the far corner.

27th min.: And Brugge equalizes! Hans Vanaken fires a beautiful shot after a cross into the box from the left by Sobol. Well-taken goal.

23rd min.: Brugge goalkeeper Mignolet with a big stop on Mbappe! Messi with a fantastic ball to him.

20th min.: Club Brugge making an attempt at a fightback, but nothing that's troubling PSG. Couple of crosses around the PSG box. But it looks like PSG will now be able to counter.

15th min.: And there's the goal for PSG! Mbappe with the cross and Ander Herrera with the first-time finish at the top of the box.

12th min.: Paredes got himself in real trouble just a minute later. He misplays a ball and Charles De Ketelaere picks off the ball. Paredes brings him down 25 yards from goal and gets a yellow. He's lucky there was cover or it could've been a red card for denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.

11th min.: Referee has a word with Brugge defender Stanley Nsoki who just falls down in the box after a tussle with Leandro Paredes. There was really nothing to it. And nothing to the subsequent corner.

6th min.: When Club Brugge gets on the ball the local fans go nuts, but it's not led to anything dangerous yet.

3rd min.: PSG with possession, knocking the ball around the Club Brugge box, but the Belgian side's defenders are coping fine so far.

1st min.: We're off. PSG in white and Club Brugge in the traditional blue and black kit.

2:33p.m. ET: PSG warming up right under their supporters:

2:26p.m. ET: Reports on the ground that the soundtrack to Messi's Champions League debut with PSG has included Stone Roses, Arcade Fire and Placebo:

2:10 p.m. ET: Video of Messi's arrival at the Jan Breydel Stadium:

1:18 p.m. ET: A reminder of the squad that PSG took to Belgium:

1:13 p.m. ET: We can assume Messi's playing if he's posting this on his Instagram:

12:18 p.m. ET: Reports have Keylor Navas getting the start in Belgium over Gigi Donnarumma.

How to watch Club Brugge vs. PSG

Lionel Messi's Champions League debut with Paris Saint-Germain will be televised nationally on Univision and TUDN. Both channels are carried by fuboTV (free 7-day trial for new subscribers). Paramount+ will have an English-language stream of the match.

DAZN has the UEFA Champions League rights in Canada and will stream the match for subscribers.