PSG scores a late winner to beat Strasbourg to take back top spot in Ligue 1

Ten-man Paris Saint-Germain grabbed a late winner to claim a 2-1 victory at Racing Strasbourg on Sunday and return to the top of Ligue 1.

Nuno Mendes scored three crucial points in the 81st minute, six minutes after the champions were reduced to ten men following Achraf Hakimi’s dismissal.

Senny Mayulu 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 needed just five minutes to equalize through Guela Doue, whose younger brother, France international Desire, came on for the visitor at half-time.

PSG played the final 15 minutes with 10 men after Hakimi was sent off for a challenge on ⁠Panichelli. The African Footballer of the Year was initially given a warning, but that was changed from yellow to red after a VAR review.

Hakimi’s dismissal meant Warren Zaire-Emery had to move back to cover at right-back, and it was his run down the flank and subsequent cross that Mendes headed home with nine minutes to go when he crept in unmarked from the left.

The win moves PSG to 48 points, two points ahead of second-placed Racing Lens, while Strasbourg remain in seventh place with 30 points after a lively encounter at the Stade de la Meinau.

Strasbourg won the penalty after a VAR review for a handball by Marquinhos as he blocked Abdoul Ouattara’s shot. But Safonov made his fifth save this season after seven penalties, cementing his reputation as a penalty save specialist.

A blunder from home captain Mamadou Sarr then allowed Mayulu to score, but a quick counter brought Alsace level as Ben Chilwell raced down the left wing and Doue slotted the ball home with some precision as he sprinted to connect with the pass.

Hakimi’s dismissal, which means he will miss Sunday’s meeting with Olympique de Marseille, gave Strasbourg the chance to take the lead in the closing stages and they will be disappointed with their poor defending as Mendes took the three points.

Published on February 2, 2026