Paris Saint-Germain climbed back to the summit of Ligue 1 on Saturday as Kylian Mbappe netted twice in a 3-1 away victory over Metz. The win places the defending champions two points clear of Lille, though concerns remain after Mbappe left the field late with a thigh problem.
Early Impact from Mbappe
Fresh from being rested during PSG’s midweek French Cup win over Angers, Mbappe wasted little time making his presence felt. In the opening five minutes, he latched onto Ander Herrera’s clever chipped pass and slotted home via the post, continuing his lethal run of form in front of goal.
The France international has now scored 25 goals in Ligue 1 this season, underlining his status as the league’s most dangerous forward.
Metz Fight Back
Despite PSG’s early dominance, Metz refused to fold. Full-back Fabien Centonze tested goalkeeper Keylor Navas with a powerful effort before equalising early in the second half. Rising above the defence, Centonze headed in Farid Boulaya’s pinpoint cross to give the home side hope of ending a long losing streak against PSG.
Moments later, Pape Matar Sarr came close to putting Metz ahead, forcing another fine save from Navas. But their momentum was short-lived.
PSG Regain Control
Capitalising on a costly mistake in Metz’s half, PSG regained control as Mbappe pounced on a loose ball. His strike from 20 yards, aided by a deflection, restored PSG’s lead and showcased his sharp instincts.
Metz goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja pulled off several big saves to keep his side in the contest, including a spectacular stop from Leandro Paredes. Ander Herrera also rattled the crossbar, while Boulaya had to clear off the line to prevent Mbappe from completing a hat-trick.
Late Drama and Injury Concerns
With the game nearing its end, Mauro Icardi sealed the result. The Argentine striker won a penalty and calmly converted to make it 3-1, scoring his fifth goal in three matches.
The main concern for PSG, however, was the sight of Mbappe being substituted in the final minutes with heavy strapping on his thigh. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino later reassured fans, saying, “He took a knock to his quad, it’s a dead leg. We don’t think it’s anything serious.”
With PSG set to face Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg, supporters will be hoping Mbappe recovers quickly.
Ligue 1 Title Race Intensifies
The result temporarily moved PSG two points ahead of Lille, who face Lyon in a crucial clash. Monaco, the league’s form side in the second half of the season, remain four points off the top and travel to Angers in their next fixture.
Neymar returned from suspension after missing two games for his red card against Lille, while Marco Verratti made his first start in over a month following recovery from Covid-19, further boosting PSG’s title challenge.
Bordeaux Supporters Stage Protest
Away from the title race, French football faced turbulence in Bordeaux. Around 1,000 supporters gathered outside the city’s town hall demanding the resignation of club president Frederic Longuepee. Fans accused him of leading the six-time French champions toward bankruptcy after owners King Street announced they would cut financial support.
The American investment group’s withdrawal, coupled with the collapse of broadcaster Mediapro’s deal, has left Bordeaux’s future uncertain. While new investors are being sought, fans insist that leadership change is the first step toward rebuilding the club.
