Paris Saint-Germain Reclaim Ligue 1 Summit With Mendes Goal After Hakimi Red Card

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Paris Saint-Germain moved back to the top of Ligue 1 with a 2-1 victory at Strasbourg, decided by Nuno Mendes’ 81st-minute header. The visitors finished with 10 players after Achraf Hakimi’s dismissal, yet still found a late winner that keeps pressure on title rivals Lens, who had won at Le Havre on Friday.

Mendes struck six minutes after Hakimi received a red card, guiding a precise header from Warren Zaire-Emery’s right-sided cross. The late goal settled a tense contest at Stade de la Meinau, where Strasbourg had earlier missed a penalty and then fought back to level before half-time.

The game opened with drama at both ends. Strasbourg earned a penalty on 20 minutes when Marquinhos handled in the box, but Matvey Safonov guessed correctly and denied Joaquin Panichelli from the spot. Paris Saint-Germain then countered quickly and went ahead two minutes later through Senny Mayulu.

Bradley Barcola created that opener with a low pass across goal, which Mayulu steered into the net from close range. Strasbourg, however, refused to fold. Guela Doue struck before the interval, bringing the hosts level and lifting the home crowd, who sensed Paris Saint-Germain were vulnerable away from home.

The turning point arrived in the second half when Hakimi’s challenge on Panichelli went to VAR review. Referee Eric Wattellier initially showed a yellow card but upgraded it to red after checking the monitor. Paris Saint-Germain then needed to manage the final stages with one player fewer against determined opponents.

Strasbourg could not make the advantage count. The hosts attempted only four shots after the break and did not register any on target, allowing Paris Saint-Germain to stay in the match. That lack of precision proved costly when Mendes moved forward from full-back late on and delivered the decisive contribution.

Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 data debrief on Hakimi and red card record

Hakimi’s sending-off carried wider significance for Paris Saint-Germain’s disciplinary record in Ligue 1. It was Hakimi’s fourth red card in the competition and first since May 2023. More notably, it ended an extended spell without any Paris Saint-Germain player being dismissed in domestic league action.

The red card halted a sequence of 60 Ligue 1 matches in which Paris Saint-Germain had finished with 11 players, stretching from March 2024. That run was the longest in the French top flight since Auxerre managed 65 consecutive games without a dismissal between March 2010 and December 2011.

Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 win highlighted by Nuno Mendes performance

Mendes not only scored the winner but also delivered a leading all-round display for Luis Enrique’s side. The left-back created more chances than any other player on the pitch, finishing with three. Mendes also saw more of the ball than anyone else as Paris Saint-Germain controlled long spells of possession.

Mendes recorded 128 touches, 102 passes and 92 accurate passes, reflecting steady involvement in build-up play. The defender also completed 28 passes in the final third, underlining how often Mendes advanced into attacking positions. That influence, combined with the late header, ensured Paris Saint-Germain left Strasbourg with three important points.