Mbappe ends PSG scoring drought in Angers win

Reuters

PARIS: Kylian Mbappe ended a four-game scoreless streak for Paris St Germain with a late penalty that helped the capital side provisionally extend their Ligue 1 lead to nine points with a 2-1 home win against Angers on Friday.

The France striker buried his spot kick three minutes from time after Danilo Pereira had cancelled out Angelo Fulgini’s first-half opener to put PSG on 27 points from 10 games.

Angers, who were the best side in the opening half, are fourth on 16 points as they left the Parc des Princes frustrated after a VAR review gave PSG the late penalty for a Pierrick Capelle handball.

Second-placed RC Lens travel to Montpellier on Sunday.

Without their South American internationals Lionel Messi and Neymar, who played World Cup qualifiers with Argentina and Brazil respectively on Thursday, PSG struggled and looked short of ideas throughout.

PSG won their opening eight games but were soundly beaten by Rennes in their last game and couldn’t manage a shot on target in the first half.

Angers took the lead in the 36th minute when Fulgini flicked the ball home from point-blank range from Sofiane Boufal’s cross. In the 63rd, Juan Bernat replaced Abdou Diallo for his first appearance in more than a year following a serious knee injury.

PSG lacked inspiration, failing to bring danger into the visitors’ area, but in the 69th, Ander Herrera found Mbappe on the right flank and the France striker sent a fine cross for Pereira, who headed home to equalise.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side pushed and were rewarded in the 87th when Capelle appeared to handle Mauro Icardi’s header and Mbappe kept his cool to convert the resulting spot kick for his fifth league goal of the season.

“We were without 80 to 90 percent of our players during the international break, but the players who haven’t played much put in a great effort and it’s a great three points,” said Pochettino, who was grateful for the presence of Mbappe. “We know Kylian is a great player, one of the best in the world, and he shows up when the team needs him.”

د ب أ

قاد نجم باريس سان جيرمان كيليان مبابي، فريقه إلى قلب تأخره بهدف لفوز بنتيجة 2-1 على ضيفه آنجيه، ضمن منافسات الجولة العاشرة من الدوري الفرنسي لكرة القدم.

ورفع باريس سان جيرمان رصيده إلى 27 نقطة في صدارة الترتيب، فيما تجمد رصيد آنجيه عند 16 نقطة في المركز الرابع، في انتظار نهاية مباريات الجولة.

ورغم تأثر باريس سان جيرمان بغياب عدد من نجومه مثل الأرجنتيني ليونيل ميسي ومواطنيه ليوناردو باريديس وأنخيل دي ماريا، والبرازيلي نيمار ومواطنه ماركينيوس، وذلك لمشاركتهم مع منتخبات بلادهم في تصفيات أمريكا الجنوبية المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2022، إلا أن الفريق نجح في قلب تأخره بهدف إلى فوز بهدفين.

وتقدم آنجيه في الدقيقة 36 عن طريق أنجيلو فولجيني، قبل أن يدرك دانيلو بيريرا التعادل لباريس سان جيرمان في الدقيقة 69، بتمريرة من مبابي. وفي الدقيقة 87 سجل مبابي الهدف الثاني لباريس سان جيرمان من ضربة جزاء.