PARIS, Sept 16, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - Lionel Messi made his first Paris Saint-
Germain start in a 1-1 draw at Club Brugge in the Champions League on
Wednesday, while last season's runners-up Manchester City and Liverpool won
high-scoring thrillers.

  Real Madrid, the record 13-time European champions, left it late to beat
Inter Milan at the San Siro in a section topped by Moldovan debutants Sheriff
Tiraspol after the first round of group stage matches.

  Argentine star Messi lined up with both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe for the
first time, after being limited to just 24 minutes in a PSG shirt since his
shock exit from Barcelona.

  Ander Herrera, who scored twice in the weekend win over Clermont, gave PSG
the lead by steering in Mbappe's cross on 15 minutes, but Brugge soon
levelled through Hans Vanaken.

  Messi curled against the bar from the corner of the area but PSG then lost
Mbappe to injury and had to settle for a point against a team viewed as
makeweights in a demanding Group A.

  "We need time for them to get to know each other," PSG coach Mauricio
Pochettino said of his all-star attack.

  "We have to improve and find the right balance, I said that before, but we
must stay calm. I'm happy with how Messi played, his desire and his attitude,
and the way he's adjusting."

  Pep Guardiola's City, beaten 1-0 by Chelsea in May's final in Porto,
overcame a hat-trick from Christopher Nkunku to beat RB Leipzig 6-3 at the
Etihad Stadium.

  Nathan Ake headed City ahead from a corner and Nordi Mukiele's own goal
doubled their advantage, but Nkunku nodded in to get Leipzig back in the
game.

  Riyad Mahrez added a third with a penalty before half-time only for Nkunku
to head in again early in the second period.

  Jack Grealish notched his first Champions League goal following his British
record o100 million ($136 million) signing, with Nkunku completing his treble
before Joao Cancelo and Gabriel Jesus strikes wrapped up a wild victory for
City.

  Leipzig finished with 10 men after former City player Angelino was sent off
for a second booking. "I loved it. I've been waiting a while. The past few
weeks, I couldn't wait for this game. It's a great night," Grealish told BT
Sport.

  "It was one of those games. It had absolutely everything."

  - Henderson stars for Liverpool -

  Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson hit the winner for Jurgen Klopp's side
as they came from behind to defeat Milan 3-2 at Anfield in a meeting of two
clubs who have combined for 13 European Cups.

  Fikayo Tomori inadvertently deflected in Trent Alexander-Arnold's effort to
put Liverpool in front but Mohamed Salah saw his penalty saved by Milan
goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

  The momentum swung sharply in Milan's favour as Ante Rebic and Brahim Diaz
struck twice in as many minutes before the break.

  Salah atoned with an equaliser on 49 minutes that was initially discounted
for offside before Henderson drove in on the half-volley from the edge of the
box.

  "It is a tough group. That is why it is important we won this game. It does
not decide anything but it gave us a winning start," Klopp told BT Sport.

  In the other Group B game, Spanish champions Atletico Madrid drew 0-0 at
home to Porto, who were frustrated by a decision to disallow Mehdi Taremi's
late goal.

  Rodrygo snatched victory for Real as he flicked in with a minute to play in
Milan, stunning Inter who had dominated much of the game and forced Thibaut
Courtois into several saves.

  Newcomers Sheriff defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 thanks to goals from Mali
international Adama Traore and Guinean forward Momo Yansane.

  Sheriff, from a tiny pro-Russian separatist region in Moldova, are the
first club from the ex-Soviet country to reach the group stage of the
Champions League.

  England midfielder Jude Bellingham scored one goal and set up Erling
Haaland for Borussia Dortmund's second in a 2-1 win away to Turkish champions
Besiktas.

  Javi Montero headed in a consolation for Besiktas in stoppage time.

  Ajax powered to the top of Group D as Ivorian striker Sebastien Haller
bagged four goals in a 5-1 demolition of Portuguese champions Sporting
Lisbon.

  Steven Berghuis added the other goal for the four-time European champions
with Paulinho grabbing a consolation for the hosts.