Nuno Mendes scored a late winner as Paris Saint-Germain overcame the second-half dismissal of Achraf Hakimi to beat Strasbourg 2–1 on Sunday and reclaim top spot in Ligue 1.
A dramatic contest in Alsace saw PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov save an early penalty from Joaquin Panichelli before Senny Mayulu put the visitors ahead.
Guela Doué, the elder brother of PSG star Désiré, levelled for the hosts before the half-hour mark, but Portugal left-back Mendes headed home the winner in the 81st minute for the reigning French and European champions.
Luis Enrique’s side were reduced to 10 men in the 74th minute when Moroccan defender Hakimi was sent off for a high challenge on Panichelli. He was initially shown a yellow card, but the decision was upgraded to red following a VAR review.
After missing out on direct qualification for the Champions League last 16 in midweek following a 1–1 draw with Newcastle United, PSG responded with a sixth successive Ligue 1 victory.
The win leaves them two points clear at the top of the table ahead of Lens, who beat Le Havre 1–0 on Friday.
“We were fortunate to win this match when most people would have thought it was impossible,” Luis Enrique said.
“It was not our best performance. In the end I don’t know if we deserved to win or not, but it was very important.”
For Strasbourg, it was their first defeat in four matches under new English head coach Gary O’Neil, who was appointed last month after Liam Rosenior left for Chelsea.
They remain seventh in the table, but are only two points behind Lille in fifth.
Strasbourg had been awarded a penalty following a VAR check after PSG captain Marquinhos blocked a shot with his arm.
However, Safonov dived low to his right to keep out Panichelli’s effort.
“He is the best goalkeeper I have ever worked with when it comes to saving penalties,” Luis Enrique said of the Russian.
Mayulu then poked PSG into the lead, but Doué finished off a slick move to equalise by turning in Ben Chilwell’s cross.
Strasbourg looked well placed to push for a winner after Hakimi’s dismissal—his first Ligue 1 appearance in three months—but Mendes headed in a cross from Warren Zaïre-Emery to secure the points for the visitors.
“I’m really proud of the team but really disappointed that we somehow found a way to lose, because I thought we were excellent and created the better chances,” O’Neil said.
“Many teams lose to PSG just by defending, but we were in the game all the way through. It gives us belief that we can go again.”
Lyon make it 10 in a row
Elsewhere, Lyon extended their superb run of form with a 1–0 win over Lille, making it 10 consecutive victories in all competitions and further strengthening their push for Champions League qualification.
Danish midfielder Noah Nartey scored the only goal shortly before half-time — his first since joining from Brøndby last month.
The seven-time French champions have now won every match since losing at Lorient in early December, including five successive Ligue 1 games.
That run has allowed Paulo Fonseca’s side—also boosted by the loan signing of Brazil striker Endrick from Real Madrid—to cement fourth place, which brings a spot in next season’s Champions League qualifying rounds.
On 39 points, Lyon trail third-placed Marseille only on goal difference and are seven clear of Lille, who have now lost six of their last seven matches in 2026.
Marseille followed their Champions League exit in midweek by throwing away a two-goal lead in a 2–2 draw at Paris FC on Saturday, leaving both OM and OL nine points behind PSG.
Elsewhere on Sunday Nice came back from two goals down to draw 2–2 with Brest, Toulouse were held 0–0 by Auxerre, and Angers beat bottom side Metz 1–0. The weekend’s biggest winners were Monaco, who thrashed Rennes 4–0 on Saturday.
