Montpellier had decided to boldly play its luck against PSG. And Michel Der Zakarian’s plan worked for a half, before Paris accelerated, notably carried by Kylian Mbappé, author of a hat-trick (2-6), this Sunday evening, during the 26th day of League 1.
Pressing from the start, the Montpellier residents were the first to give in. Found in the middle by Kylian Mbappé after a two-played corner, Vitinha curled his shot, out of reach of Dimitry Bertaud, who replaced Benjamin Lecomte in the Montpellier goal (0-1, 14th). Captain in the absence of Marquinhos, the French international (75 caps, 46 goals) doubled the lead with a cross strike at the end of an express counter, well offset by Randal Kolo Muani (0-2, 22nd).
But Paris also suffered, particularly on the left side of its defense. Lucas Hernandez experienced an ordeal against Arnaud Nordin, until his exit at the break. After standing out twice (10th, 26th), the Montpellier winger took advantage of a risky deflection from Danilo Pereira at the near post on a cross from Lucas Mincarelli to score with a header from close range (1-2, 30th).
Author of a save on his line in front of Wahbi Khazri in the interval (41st), Danilo completely missed a throw-back towards Gianluigi Donnarumma. While trying to clear the ball, the Italian goalkeeper collided with Tanguy Coulibaly and conceded a penalty. Despite the long wait linked to Parisian protests with Mr. Batta, Téji Savanier found the top corner with ease (2-2, 45th+2).
Mbappé chases records
Efforts quickly became in vain as Montpellier sank at the start of the second half. Left alone at the entrance to the area, Mbappé fired a powerful curling shot which finished under Bertaud’s bar (2-3, 50th), just before another cannon shot from Kang-in Lee (2 -4, 53rd).
But the man of the evening was indeed named Mbappé. Vitinha mischievously quickly played a free kick towards his captain. Starting behind the defense, the 25-year-old French volleyed with his right foot (5-2, 63rd). A goal far from trivial, his 250th since his arrival in Paris in August 2017.
188
Now at 188 goals scored in Ligue 1, Kylian Mbappé has overtaken Fleury Di Nallo (187 goals) in eighth place among the top scorers in the history of the Championship.
Despite a scare over a penalty whistled against Nuno Mendes then canceled by Mr. Batta after intervention by the VAR (82nd), PSG found the post through Warren Zaire-Emery (88th), then aggravated the score through the same Mendes (2-6, 89th).
Eight days before the end of the Championship, PSG is now 12 points ahead of its runner-up, Brest, held to a draw by Lille (1-1). Montpellier, 14th, is only one unit ahead of the barrage, Nantes (25 points).
