Nuno Mendes (R) scored a late winner as Paris Saint-Germain received 2-1 at Strasbourg to return to the highest of Ligue 1. Picture: AFP
STRASBOURG:
Nuno Mendes scored a late winner as Paris Saint-Germain survived the second-half sending-off of Achraf Hakimi to beat Strasbourg 2-1 on Sunday and reclaim prime spot in Ligue 1.
A dramatic recreation in Alsace noticed PSG goalkeeper Matfei Safonov save Joaquin Panichelli’s early penalty for Strasbourg, earlier than Senny Mayulu gave the guests the lead.
Guela Doue, elder brother of PSG star Need, levelled for the house facet earlier than the half-hour mark, however Portugal left-back Mendes headed within the winner for the reigning French and European champions within the 81st minute.
Luis Enrique’s crew had been decreased to 10 males on 74 minutes as Moroccan star Hakimi was despatched off for a excessive sort out on Panichelli — he was initially proven a yellow card just for the punishment to be upgraded to crimson after a VAR examine.
Having missed out on direct qualification for the Champions League final 16 in midweek following a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United, PSG bounced again right here to make it six successive Ligue 1 victories.
Consequently, they’re two factors clear on the prime of the desk from Lens, who defeated Le Havre 1-0 on Friday.
“We have been lucky to win this match when most individuals would have thought it was unattainable,” stated Luis Enrique.
“It was not our greatest efficiency. In the long run I do not know if we deserved to win or not but it surely was crucial.”
For Strasbourg, the defeat was their first in 4 matches below new English coach Gary O’Neil, appointed final month after Liam Rosenior left for Chelsea.
They continue to be seventh, however are solely two factors adrift of Lille in fifth.
Strasbourg have been awarded a penalty following a VAR examine after PSG captain Marquinhos blocked a shot along with his arm.
Nevertheless, Safonov dived to his proper to maintain out the penalty by Argentina striker Panichelli.
“He’s the very best goalkeeper I’ve ever labored with with regards to stopping penalties,” Luis Enrique stated of the Russian.
Mayulu then prodded PSG into the lead, just for Doue to complete off a advantageous transfer to equalise by delivering Ben Chilwell’s cross.
Strasbourg should have hoped they might go on to win the sport after Moroccan star Hakimi was despatched off on his first Ligue 1 look in three months, however Mendes headed in Warren Zaire-Emery’s cross to take the factors again to Paris.
“I’m actually pleased with the crew however actually dissatisfied that we one way or the other discovered a method to lose, as a result of I assumed we have been wonderful and created the higher possibilities,” stated O’Neil.
“Many groups lose to PSG simply defending however we have been within the recreation the entire manner – it does give us the assumption that we are able to go once more.”
Lyon 10 in a row
Elsewhere, Lyon continued their wonderful run of kind with a 1-0 win over Lille to make it 10 straight victories in all competitions and additional increase their possibilities of Champions League qualification.
Danish midfielder Noah Nartey scored the one aim late within the opening half, a primary for the 20-year-old since his arrival from Brondby final month.
The seven-time French champions have now received each recreation since shedding at Lorient in early December, together with 5 on the bounce in Ligue 1.
That kind has allowed Paulo Fonseca’s facet – additionally boosted by the arrival of Brazil striker Endrick on mortgage from Actual Madrid – to cement their grip on fourth place, which brings with it a spot in subsequent season’s Champions League qualifying rounds.
With 39 factors, Lyon path Marseille in third solely on aim distinction and are seven away from Lille, for whom this was a sixth loss in seven matches in 2026.
Marseille adopted their exit from the Champions League through the week by squandering a two-goal lead to attract 2-2 at Paris FC on Saturday – OM and OL are 9 factors worse off than PSG.
Sunday’s different outcomes noticed Good come from two objectives down to attract 2-2 with Brest, whereas Toulouse drew 0-0 with Auxerre and Angers defeated backside facet Metz 1-0. The weekend’s huge winners have been Monaco, who hammered Rennes 4-0 on Saturday.
