PSG vs. Fiorentina: Score, Grades and Reaction from 2015 ICC

It's two wins in two matches for Paris Saint-Germain after the French club defeated Italian side Fiorentina 4-2 Tuesday night in the International Champions Cup at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. 

It was the first time the two sides met in a competitive match. For PSG, the most successful side in France these past few seasons, they are a squad looking to become the most dominant side in Europe as they pursue a Champions League title. Fiorentina has aspirations just to make the competition as they look to break into the top three in Italy's Serie A.

A tepid start saw the game bogged down in the midfield when it seemed that an errant play at the back would deliver a chance. Both back lines attempted a number of questionable passes that allowed the opposition a chance to develop a dangerous attack, but nothing came to fruition in the first 10 minutes.

One of Fiorentina's brightest players at the start, Mario Gomez won a free-kick in the 11th minute, which was taken by Matias Vecino. From 25 yards out, Vecino's booming effort struck the left post and ricocheted out of danger. Fox Soccer had the replay:

Paris Saint-Germain kicked things into gear after the early scare. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had their first real chance, receiving a cross from Gregory van der Wiel in the box but stabbing his effort tantalizingly wide in the 27th minute. 

Fiorentina's midfield was unable to grab a hold of the game. In the moments they had possession, the central striker Gomez, who was subbed out at halftime, was making very good runs but was never found, which added to his frustration.

PSG finally took advantage of their possession in the 35th minute as Ibrahimovic worked the ball out wide to Van der Wiel, who sent a low cross in front of the Fiorentina goal that was turned in by Blaise Matuidi, per Fox Soccer:

Their lead was doubled just six minutes later in the 41st minute as Matuidi played provider this time.

Fox Soccer showed a beautiful left-footed pass that sprang 18-year-old Jean-Kevin Augustin in, who sent a low shot with his first touch into the back of the net:

Fiorentina had the first chance of the second half when a deflected shot came to Ante Rebic on the left side of goal. His effort, whether it be a cross or shot we will never know, missed two teammates on the far post with nothing but an open goal in front of them.

Rebic did well to assault the left flank, and he was Fiorentina's biggest threat in the second half's early moments with the departure of Gomez. 

Van der Wiel provided another excellent ball for PSG in the 58th minute, finding the foot of Ibrahimovic unmarked, but his effort was sent over the crossbar. 

Two minutes later, it was substitute Joaquin Sanchez who pulled one back from Fiorentina out of nothing. With his first touch of the match, the midfielder unleashed a strike from over 20 yards out that left Kevin Trapp rooted to his spot, per Fox Soccer:

Joaquin sent Khouma Babacar in on goal just minutes later, but a vital tackle from Serge Aurier prevented Fiorentina from finding an equalizer. Fiorentina then had a goal disallowed in the 65th minute due to an offside call.

Fan-favorite Ibrahimovic restored PSG's two-goal lead in the 69th minute by popping in a perfect ball sent in by Lucas Moura, as Fox Soccer showed. It would be the Swede's last action of the night, as he was swapped out seconds after:

Augustin added his second goal of the night in the 75th minute. On the counter-attack, he found himself in a ton of space about 19 yards out, straight away from the Fiorentina goal. Unleashing a hard low shot, Fox Soccer showed his effort finding a way through the fingers of Luca Lezzerini. 

The chances kept rolling as Giuseppe Rossi's free-kick was handled by the PSG wall in the 78th minute, allowing the New Jersey native to step up in his home state and fire Fiorentina back within two, per Fox Soccer:

Grades

Blaise Matuidi: A

Matuidi was a dynamo in the midfield. Extremely inventive on the ball, he showed his distributing prowess paired with a ruthless striking display. With one goal and one assist, he and teammate Gregory van der Wiel were able to stretch out the Fiorentina defense and open a plethora of chances.

Jean-Kevin Augustin: B+

Augustin was the beneficiary of PSG's ability to dominate the midfield. Giving the American public a first glimpse at what he is capable of doing, a two-goal performance in one of the first games of the preseason will give the 18-year-old plenty of confidence before the Ligue 1 season begins on August 7. 

Mario Gomez: B

Only playing one half, Gomez found himself on an island of sorts during his time on the pitch. He was the quickest starter out of the gates, bounding on a few runs down the heart of PSG's defense, but there was little support around him. He also showed wonderful vision to put himself in advantageous positions; however, the service from the midfield was slow to recognize his movement.