Mbappe saves the day, and PSG take back the top spot in Ligue 1
Kylian Mbappe scored off the bench to secure Paris Saint-Germain a 2-1 home victory over Nice on Saturday, reclaiming first place in Ligue 1 for the French champions.
Mbappe scored with seven minutes remaining to give PSG 25 points from nine games, two more than Olympique de Marseille, who defeated Angers 3-0 on the road on Friday.
On Sunday, third-placed Lorient hosts Lille, while fourth-placed RC Lens faces Olympique Lyonnais.
PSG, who play Benfica on the road in a Champions League group stage encounter on Wednesday, battled against Nice until Mbappe entered the game in the 59th minute.
Hugo Ekitike began up front with Lionel Messi and Neymar, while Mbappe sat on the bench at the request of manager Christophe Galtier.
Messi opened the score in the 28th minute when, after being fouled by Nice captain Dante, he curled a beautiful free kick into the back of the goal.
At the stroke of halftime, the Argentine almost scored again with a powerful shot, but Kasper Schmeichel tipped the ball over the crossbar.
Gaetan Laborde equalised the score two minutes after the resumption of play by converting Youcef Atal’s cross. Nice came out of the halftime break firing on all cylinders.
The France striker threatened with his speed but lacked precision in the penalty area until the 83rd minute when he scored the game-winning goal by connecting with Nordi Mukiele’s cross.
It was Mbappe’s ninth goal in Ligue 1 this season, tying him with Neymar for the lead in scoring.
