Mbappe scores as sub to help PSG see off Nantes

English Woman's Journal - Mbappe scores as sub to help PSG see off Nantes

Weather - London 9°C

Mbappe scores as sub to help PSG see off Nantes

SPORTS 17.02.2024

Mbappe scores as sub to help PSG see off Nantes / Photo: Sebastien SALOM-GOMIS - AFP

Kylian Mbappe came off the bench and scored a penalty as Paris Saint-Germain beat Nantes 2-0 on Saturday after the France captain informed the club this week he plans to leave at the end of the season.

Change text size:

Lucas Hernandez's deflected strike broke the deadlock on the hour at the Stade de la Beaujoire before Mbappe made sure of the points after he was fouled inside the area.

PSG stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 14 points with a record-extending 12th title surely now a formality after Nice suffered a fifth loss in nine games Friday.

The main talking point in Paris though will be the future of Mbappe, who is seemingly entering the final months of a seven-year stint with the French champions.

The 25-year-old has told club officials he intends to depart on a free transfer when his contract expires, and has been widely tipped to move to Real Madrid.

It is understood that Mbappe's exit will be formally announced in a few months' time.

PSG toiled for an hour without the league's top scorer as Mbappe, who struck in the 2-0 win over Real Sociedad in the Champions League in midweek, started on the bench in Nantes.

The hosts had the clearer chances in the first half, Mostafa Mohamed denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma's foot and Nicolas Cozza thwarted by a desperate Marquinhos block.

Nicolas Pallois' volley was ruled out for offside just before the break, with his dipping long-range drive tipped over by Donnarumma early in the second half.

Hernandez benefited from a considerable degree of good fortune to score his first Ligue 1 goal as his shot hit Moussa Sissoko and left the Nantes goalkeeper stranded.

Mbappe, introduced straight after along with Ousmane Dembele and Achraf Hakimi, needed little time to make his mark.

He drew a foul from Douglas Augusto and confidently converted from the spot for his 21st league goal in 20 games this season, extending PSG's unbeaten away run to 18 matches.

Elsewhere, Jonathan David bagged a hat-trick as Lille swept Le Havre aside 3-0 to move into third place.

After a slow start to the campaign, the Canada international now has 11 goals -- striking nine times in his past 10 games.

O.Wood--EWJ

Featured

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Virginia overwhelms Arkansas 91-72 behind balanced scoring

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thijs De Ridder scored 16 points, one of five players in double figures for No. 9 Virginia as the Cavaliers routed No.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

Change text size: