STRASBOURG: Ten-man Paris St-Germain scored a late winner to claim a 2-1 win at Strasbourg on Sunday and return to the summit of Ligue 1.

Nuno Mendes secured three vital points in the 81st minute, six minutes after the champions had been reduced to 10 men with the dismissal of right back Achraf Hakimi.

Senny Mayulu had put PSG ahead in the 22nd minute, one minute after Strasbourg’s Joaquin Panichelli saw his penalty saved by Matvey Safonov.

But the home side took only five minutes to equalise through Guela Doue, whose younger brother, France international Desire, came on at halftime for the visitors.

PSG played the last 15 minutes down to 10 men after Hakimi was sent off for a studs high challenge on Panichelli. The African Footballer of the Year was initially cautioned but that was changed from yellow to red after a VAR review.

Hakimi’s sending-off meant Warren Zaire-Emery had to move back to cover at right back and it was from his run down the flank and subsequent cross that Mendes headed home with nine minutes remaining as he stole in unmarked from the left.

“We were fortunate to win this match when most people would have thought it was impossible,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique. “It was not our best performance. In the end I don’t know if we deserved to win or not but it was very important.”

The victory sees PSG move up to 48 points, two ahead of second placed RC Lens while Strasbourg remained in seventh spot on 30 points at the end of a lively encounter at Stade de la Meinau.

“I am really proud of the team but really disappointed that we somehow found a way to lose, because I thought we were excellent and created the better chances,” said Strasbourg coach Gary O’Neil.

“Many teams lose to PSG just defending but we were in the game the whole way — it does give us the belief that we can go again.”

Elsewhere on Sunday, Olympique Lyonnais continued their excellent run of form with a 1-0 win over Lille to make it 10 straight victories in all competitions and further boost their chances of Champions League qualification.

Danish midfielder Noah Nartey scored the only goal late in the opening half, a first for the 20-year-old since his arrival from Brondby last month.

The seven-time French champions have now won every game since losing at Lorient in early December, including five on the bounce in Ligue 1.

That form has allowed Paulo Fonseca’s side — also boosted by the arrival of Brazil striker Endrick on loan from Real Madrid — to cement their grip on fourth place, which brings with it a spot in next season’s Champions League qualifying rounds.

With 39 points, Lyon trail Olympique de Marseille in third only on goal difference and are seven clear of Lille, for whom this was a sixth loss in seven matches in 2026.

Sunday’s other results saw Nice come from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Brest, while Toulouse drew 0-0 with Auxerre and Angers defeated bottom side Metz 1-0.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2026

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