PSG beat Strasbourg 2-1: Nuno Mendes shines after Hakimi's red card.
Despite Achraf Hakimi receiving a red card in the 75th minute, PSG still defeated Strasbourg 2-1 thanks to a goal from Nuno Mendes, officially reclaiming the top spot in Ligue 1 from Lens.
PSG endured a tumultuous 90 minutes at the Stade de la Meinau in the 20th round of Ligue 1. Despite facing suffocating pressure from the home side Strasbourg and playing with ten men in the final minutes, Luis Enrique's team still demonstrated the resilience of the reigning champions to secure all three points, directly reclaiming the top spot in the league table.
A dramatic start and a turning point from the penalty spot.
The match quickly escalated in the first half. In the 19th minute, Strasbourg had a golden opportunity to open the scoring after Marquinhos handled the ball in the penalty area. However, from the penalty spot, Joaquin Panichelli failed to beat the alert Matvey Safonov. This save not only averted danger for PSG but also set the stage for them to make the difference just two minutes later.
In the 22nd minute, luck smiled on the visitors when Mamadou Sarr's clearance deflected off Bradley Barcola, sending the ball right to Senny Mayulu. The young talent didn't miss the gift from above, finishing from close range to open the scoring at 1-1. However, PSG's advantage didn't last long. In the 27th minute, from a sharp assist by Ben Chilwell, Guela Doue surged forward and finished decisively to bring the game back to a tie.
Hakimi's red card and the champion's spirit
In the second half, PSG proactively increased the pressure but were met with Strasbourg's disciplined defense under Gary O'Neil. The drama reached its peak in the 75th minute when Achraf Hakimi received a direct red card after a brutal tackle on Panichelli. Playing with ten men for the final 15 minutes, PSG were put in an extremely precarious situation.
However, at the most critical moment, the stars of the capital team stepped up. In the 81st minute, after a breakthrough effort by Lee Kang-In, the ball was passed to Warren Zaire-Emery. Although he slipped while delivering the cross, the young midfielder's pass inadvertently became an assist that completely bypassed the opposing defense. Nuno Mendes was in the right place at the right time, heading the ball powerfully to seal a 2-1 victory for PSG.
Match statistics and starting lineup
This victory gives PSG a crucial boost ahead of the intense phase of the season, while also extending their unbeaten run in the domestic league. Here's a summary of the key events:
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final score | Strasbourg 1-2 PSG |
| Strasbourg scored | Guela Doue (27') |
| Scored a goal for PSG | Senny Mayulu (22'), Nuno Mendes (81') |
| Red card | Achraf Hakimi (75') |
| Best player | Matvey Safonov (PSG) |
The starting lineups for both teams in their match in Round 20 of Ligue 1:
With the three points secured, Luis Enrique's team officially overtook Lens to claim the top spot in Ligue 1. Meanwhile, Strasbourg have reason to regret their performance, as they played a fair game but lacked sharpness at crucial moments.
