Paris Saint-Germain climbed back to the top of Ligue 1 on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Lens, courtesy of a Bradley Barcola brace, while Ethan Mbappe powered LOSC Lille to a 2-1 comeback win against Toulouse.
PSG Secure Fourth Straight Win
Barcola opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a curling effort from 20 yards that left goalkeeper Robin Risser stranded. Six minutes after the break, the 21-year-old doubled his tally, cutting in from the left before rifling a low shot beyond Risser to seal the points.
The win made it four victories from four matches for Luis Enrique’s men, who returned to the summit of the table with 12 points.
Yet, the night also left the Spanish coach with unwanted problems as three players – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Lee
Kang-in, and Lucas Beraldo – were forced off with injuries.
Injury Crisis Looming?
Kvaratskhelia, PSG’s marquee summer signing from Napoli, limped off in the 30th minute with a calf issue. His availability for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Atalanta now hangs in the balance.
Midfielder Lee Kang-in and defender Lucas Beraldo both departed during the second half, adding to a growing list of absentees that already includes Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué, who were sidelined after picking up knocks on international duty with France.
“Unfortunately, Kvara was tackled in the first half and couldn’t continue. For Kang-in it doesn’t look too serious, but Beraldo seems to be worse off,” Luis Enrique told BeIN Sports.
“It happens to everyone. It’s a difficult moment because we have injured players, but we must wait for the results. We have the ability to adapt and respond as a team.”
The injury pile-up comes at the worst possible time for PSG, who are preparing to begin their European title defence while also facing domestic rivals eager to end their Ligue 1 dominance.
Lille’s Ethan Mbappé Steals the Spotlight
Earlier in the day, Ethan Mbappé, the younger brother of former PSG superstar Kylian Mbappé, produced a fairytale finish for Lille with a dramatic winner in the 98th minute of their 2-1 comeback against Toulouse.
The 18-year-old, who left PSG in 2023 following his brother’s acrimonious free transfer to Real Madrid, celebrated his first Ligue 1 goal in just his 11th appearance for Lille.
“Last year was a difficult year for me, with a lot of injuries,” Mbappé said afterwards.
“Coming back with a goal, honestly, there’s no better way to start a new season.”
The victory provisionally took Lille to the top of the table with 10 points, only for PSG to reclaim first place later in the evening.
Elsewhere, Liam Rosenior’s youthful Strasbourg side grabbed a 1-0 win at home to Le Havre thanks to Joaquin Panichelli’s 92nd-minute spot-kick.
Paris FC claimed their second win of the campaign, holding out 2-1 at last-placed Brest, while Metz drew 1-1 with Angers.
(with AFP inputs)
