PSG 2-1 Strasbourg: Kylian Mbappe snatches PSG win with 96th-minute penalty after Neymar red card

Kylian Mbappe scored a 96th-minute penalty as Paris Saint-Germain snatched a 2-1 win over struggling Strasbourg after Neymar was sent off for diving.

The game struggled to get going in the first half, Strasbourg pressed Paris Saint-Germain high up the pitch, committing lots of fouls to try and stop the home side from getting into their stride.

Defender Marquinhos gave the home side, who were without World Cup winner Lionel Messi, the lead after 14 minutes, heading home from a Neymar free-kick.

But other than from set-pieces, Christophe Galtier’s side struggled to create many clear chances against a resolute Strasbourg defence.

The away side grew into the game and in the 29th minute they should have been level as Kevin Gameiro saw his effort saved at point-blank range by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Strasbourg continually attacked in numbers down the right side, combining well and getting into good positions to put crosses in, and just seven minutes into the second half they had an equaliser.

Adrien Thomasson found space down the right before firing in a cross which was deflected by Marquinhos into his own goal.

Neymar was growing increasingly frustrated and in a period of just two minutes he was sent off. He was shown a yellow card on 61 minutes for throwing a flailing arm at Adrien Thomasson and just a minute later the Brazilian received a second yellow for diving in the box.

Strasbourg grew in confidence from this point, going forward against PSG’s 10 men but were unable to fashion any clear cut chances.

With 10 minutes to go it was Paris Saint-Germain’s turn to push forward in search of a winner. Strasbourg held firm and it looked like they were on the cusp of earning a well deserved point. That was until Mbappe was fouled in the box in the dying seconds. The French forward stepped up confidently to stroke home the winner and snatch all three points for his side.

TALKING POINT – PSG WIN UGLY

In the list of Paris Saint-Germain performances, this one surely ranks somewhere at the bottom. In the list of Paris Saint-Germain victories, it ranks even further down. The Ligue 1 leaders struggled to get going all evening against a resolute Strasbourg side.

We saw flashes of magic from Neymar and Mbappe here and there but PSG were missing something, perhaps missing a certain Argentine.

It was clear that is Paris Saint-Germain were going to earn all three points they would have to do it the ugly way, and like all champions, they found a way. They scored two goals, both from set-pieces, and offered very little else.

Ultimately though, they managed to get the job done and in a season as long as theirs, where they are expected to fight on all possible fronts until the very end, they will need wins like the one they earned tonight. Not every match is going to be pretty, but the ability to win games without being at your best is the true hallmark of a top side.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – JEAN-RICNER BELLEGARDE (STRASBOURG)

He finished the match on the losing side but Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was the best player on the pitch tonight. The 24-year-old was a real source of creativity for Strasbourg when they had the ball, playing four key passes and taking 74 touches. Without the ball he was even better, with Strasbourg under constant pressure Bellegarde remained switched on, winning a staggering five tackles, two interceptions, two clearances and nine duels. He will be disappointed to have committed the foul in the build up to PSG’s opening goal but it was a well rounded performance from the Strasbourg man and he certainly didn’t deserve to lose this one.

PLAYER RATINGS

Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma 7, Ramos 7, Marquinhos 7, Mukiele 6, Bitshiabu 7, Verratti 6, Ruiz 6, Vitinha 6, Mbappe 8, Neymar 7, Ekitike 5.

SUBS: Hakimi 6, Soler 6, Sarabia 6

RC Strasbourg: Sels 6, Perrin 6, Nyamsi 6, Djiku 7, Doukoure 7, Thomasson 7, Prcic 7, Bellegarde 8, Diarra 7, Gameiro 6, Ajorque 7.

SUBS: Aholou 6, Sissoko 6, Diallo 6

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

14′ GOAL – PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN – Marquinhos makes it 1-0! Neymar whips in a free-kick from the left hand side and Marquinhos is on hand to head it home. The free kick came from a needless foul from Bellegarde, Strasbourg will be very frustrated to concede in this manner.

29′ MASSIVE CHANCE – That was a glorious chance for Strasbourg and Kevin Gameiro. A superb delivery from Prcic across the face of goal into Gameiro who hits it straight at Donnarumma. That was a golden opportunity to equalise.

52′ GOAL – STRASBOURG – Strasbourg have an equaliser! Adrien Thomasson puts in a cross and it’s deflected in by Marquinhos for an own goal.

62′ RED CARD – PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN – Neymar is sent off! He receives a second yellow card for a dive in the area. A brilliant call from the referee.

95′ GOAL – PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN – Kylian Mbappe scores from the penalty spot with what is likely to be the last kick of the game. Delight for PSG, heartbreak for Strasbourg.

KEY STAT:

Neymar has received five red cards since his Ligue 1 debut in 2017/18, the joint-highest tally in this period. (Via OPTAJEAN)