Safonov knocked unconscious in PSG warm-up collision but starts as champions drop points at Lille

PSG goalkeeper Matyev Safonov was knocked unconscious during the warm-up ahead of the club’s Ligue 1 fixture at Lille on Friday, after his head collided with a member of the first-team coaching staff while he lunged to punch away a ball in pre-match drills.

The 27-year-old lay motionless on his back at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy as medical staff rushed onto the pitch and anxious teammates and staff gathered around him. Backup goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier began preparing for a last-minute change, but Safonov was ultimately passed fit after brief treatment and allowed to start.

Despite the alarming scenes, Safonov completed the full 90 minutes — though PSG could not convert his availability into a positive result. Hakon Haraldsson opened the scoring for Lille after 21 minutes, and the hosts defended their lead for the majority of the match before Dilane Bakwa made it 2-0 with less than ten minutes remaining.

PSG mounted a late comeback to salvage a point. Vitinha pulled one back early in stoppage time before Marquinhos levelled at the death to make it 2-2, sparing manager Luis Enrique the indignity of a defeat.

The draw leaves the defending Ligue 1 champions in a difficult early-season position. PSG were also held 2-2 by Rennes in their opening match of the 2026/27 campaign last weekend, and sit sixth in the table with just two points from two games.

Next up for PSG is a home fixture against AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes on Friday, 4 September. The club also recently learned their Champions League group-phase draw as they bid to defend the European title they won in 2025 with a 5-0 victory over Inter Milan, before retaining it via a penalty shootout win over Arsenal.