Strasbourg 1-2 PSG: Mbappe stars as league leaders go nine points clear

Kylian Mbappe scored and assisted as Paris St Germain won 2-1 at Strasbourg on Friday, extending their Ligue 1 lead to nine points.

PSG lead the standings with 47 points, followed by Nice on 38. Nice will face third-place Brest, who have 35 points, on Sunday. Strasbourg are 10th with 25 points.

The game got off to an exciting start when PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made a diving save to deny Moise Sahi's close-range shot.

Following that, PSG earned a penalty minutes later after Lucas Perrin made a late tackle on forward Randal Kolo Muani, with Strasbourg goalkeeper Alaa Bellaarouch saving Mbappe's attempt.

PSG broke the deadlock after 31 minutes when Bellaarouch's clearance was blocked by Marco Asensio and rebounded to Mbappe, who slotted it into an empty net.

Four minutes into the second half, PSG doubled their lead when Mbappe maneuvered down the left and delivered a cross into the box for the unmarked Asensio, who shot into the far bottom corner.

Strasbourg cut the deficit in the 68th minute when Dilane Bakwa volleyed in a cross at the back post, but they were unable to beat Donnarumma, who made several saves to seal the victory for the visitors.

"If we analyse the match from the beginning, it's a good match against a strong rival, in good form, especially at home," PSG manager Luis Enrique said.

"We had a very positive mentality; when we needed to defend, we did it. Our goal is also to control the matches and know how to defend."

PSG will host Brest in the French Cup's last 16 on Wednesday.

SportsLigue