Montpellier 2-6 Paris Saint-Germain: Mbappe nets hat-trick as league leaders extend lead at the top with comfortable victory

Kylian Mbappe scored his second hat-trick in Ligue 1 this season as leaders Paris St Germain defeated Montpellier 6-2 on Sunday, their first league victory in four games.

PSG's 59 points from 26 games increased their lead over Brest to 12 points, while Montpellier's 26 points kept them one point above the relegation playoffs. Brest were earlier held 1-1 at home by Lille.

The visitors took the lead in the 14th minute, when Mbappe crossed from the left to Vitinha following a short corner. The Portugal international evaded two defenders before curling the ball home with his right foot from the edge of the box.

Mbappe, in his 200th league match for PSG, scored eight minutes later after combining with Randal Kolo Muani and finishing with his left foot from a difficult angle.

Montpellier responded on the half-hour mark, with Jordan Ferri's cross from the left finding Arnaud Nordin inside the box, who headed it home from close range.

Just before halftime, the hosts equalised when PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma gave up a penalty after colliding with Tanguy Coulibaly inside the box. Montpellier captain Teji Savanier converted the penalty kick, sending Donnarumma the wrong way.

However, Mbappe struck again five minutes into the second half, with his right-footed shot from outside the box hitting the woodwork before finding the back of the net.

PSG increased their lead in the 53rd minute when Lee Kang-in, who scored in the reverse fixture in November, scored his second league goal for the club with a left-footed finish from outside the box, with Muani providing his second assist of the game.

Mbappe completed his hat-trick 10 minutes later off Vitinha's lofted through ball, his 250th goal for the club in all competitions, bringing his league tally for the season to 24 from 24 appearances.

The France international, who is expected to leave PSG in the offseason, has 38 goals in all competitions this season from 37 appearances.

Nuno Mendes scored PSG's final goal in the 89th minute with a left-footed effort from outside the box.

"I'm a lucky guy," manager Luis Enrique told Prime Video. "Because I have unbelievable players with enormous quality and the spirit... to fight for every single game."

"We want to win the championship as quickly as possible."

SportsLigue