PARIS • Kylian Mbappe scored on his debut as Paris Saint-Germain eased to a 5-1 away thumping of Metz in Ligue 1 on Friday.

Neymar's pinpoint through ball created the opening goal for Edinson Cavani in the 31st minute, only for Emmanuel Riviere to head in an equaliser before half-time.

PSG ran riot after the interval, with Neymar getting himself onto the scoresheet after Mbappe scored with a ferocious low strike.

Cavani scored his second and Lucas Moura grabbed the fifth.

The victory is PSG's fifth in a row to start the French Ligue 1 season, and takes them three points clear at the top of the fledgling table, ahead of Monaco, before the champions' match against Nice yesterday.

"It's important for me to have good balance on the pitch," said PSG coach Unai Emery, who was delighted that his 18-year-old prodigy Mbappe made an instant impact following his move from Monaco.

"I think that the good players like to play with good players, and Kylian made a good start."

PSG can now turn their attentions to the start of the Champions League group stages on Tuesday when they take on Scottish champions Celtic in Glasgow.

Mbappe was handed a starting spot on his debut after joining PSG on a season-long loan. PSG have an option to buy him for a fee that could reach €180 million (S$290.66 million).

"A win, a goal and a good game, I have everything to make me satisfied," said Mbappe.

"Now we go to Glasgow to win and to make a good start (in Europe). I've always said that the Champions League is a special competition."

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS