Kylian Mbappé made a significant impact coming off the bench, securing a late penalty to propel French league leaders Paris Saint-Germain to a 2-0 victory over Nantes, extending their lead to 14 points ahead of second-placed Nice on Saturday.
In the 78th minute, Mbappé calmly converted a spot kick to the right of goalkeeper Rémy Descamps after being fouled, then celebrated by pointing at a pitchside camera with a smile and a vigorous fist pump.
This goal increased his league-leading tally to 21 and his season’s total to 32 in 31 games. Post-match, he gifted his jersey to PSG’s traveling fans in a gesture of appreciation.
Coach Luis Enrique opted to start Mbappé on the bench, a decision that raised eyebrows considering Mbappé’s recent announcement of his departure from PSG at the end of the season. Mbappé entered the game in the 61st minute, shortly after Lucas Hernández’s deflected shot gave PSG the lead.
It’s plausible Enrique chose to rest Mbappé due to a lingering sore left ankle and his absence from the previous Sunday’s home game against Lille.
The first half saw few clear-cut chances, with left winger Bradley Barcola testing Descamps with a shot early on. Nantes threatened on the counterattack towards the end of the half, but PSG held firm, with a goal from Nantes’ Nicolas Pallois ruled out for offside.
Pallois continued to trouble PSG’s defense in the second half, forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into a save with a long-range effort. Nantes’ Mostafa Mohamed also tested Donnarumma late in the game, but PSG ultimately secured the victory.
In an earlier fixture, Canadian striker Jonathan David demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess by scoring a hat-trick as Lille defeated Le Havre 3-0, climbing to third place in the league standings.
David, Lille’s record signing, has found his form after a slow start to the season, notching six goals in the past three home games, bringing his total to 11 league goals, second only to Mbappé.
His goals came from close range in the 14th minute, just before halftime after an assist from Angel Gomes, and from the rebound of his own saved penalty in the 49th minute.
Lille currently sits level on points with Monaco, ahead on goal difference, with Monaco set to play on Sunday.
