PARIS, March 5: Kylian Mbappe became Paris Saint-Germain’s all-time leading scorer when he netted in added time of the 4-2 win over Nantes in the French league on Saturday.
Producing the sixth and last goal of the match gave Mbappe his 201st goal for PSG and eclipsed Edinson Cavani’s record.
The third consecutive win moved PSG 11 points clear at the top of the standings, but it was marred by the replacement of Marquinhos late in the match.
Marquinhos was substituted with 15 minutes left, clutching his back in pain at the Parc des Princes. He’s a doubt for when PSG travels to Bayern Munich on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie. Bayern leads 1-0 from the first leg.
Mbappe missed several chances for the milestone goal in the last five minutes. Then he collected a pass from Timothee Pembele, quickly turned toward the goal and fired home with a left-footed shot. PSG fans chanted Mbappe’s name amid fireworks and he was later presented with a trophy marking the achievement. “I was still a young player when I arrived here. I’ve learned a lot here,” Mbappe said after his 247th game with PSG. “I play to write history, and I always said that I want to do it here, in France, in its capital city. . . . It’s a personal achievement but I also came here for collective achievements.”
PSG led 2-0 after 16 minutes and looked set for a comfortable evening, but for the second time in a row at home, Christophe Galtier’s players wasted a two-goal lead before they prevailed.
Following a 3-0 win at second-placed Marseille last weekend, PSG returned home full of confidence against Nantes and quickly took control with a fluid passing game.
Lionel Messi broke the deadlock with a low shot in the 11th minute after connecting with a cross from Nuno Mendes that took a deflection. PSG doubled the lead when Jaouen Hadjam, under pressure from Nordi Mukiele, beat his own goalkeeper with a poor clearance attempt.
Nantes needed an individual moment of brilliance from Ludovic Blas to pull one back. After being set up down the left, the attacking midfielder took Gianluigi Donnarumma by surprise with a shot from a tight angle as the Italy goalkeeper expected a cross and was a bit slow to react in the 30th. Ignatius Ganago leveled in the 37th after a corner when the ball went in off his back.
Nantes defended well and played boldly after the interval. There were space and chances for both teams and PSG found an edge at the hour mark. Danilo Pereira headed home from Mbappe’s cross, then the France striker beat Cavani’s record to seize the limelight.
A run of scoring in five games in a row is Messi’s best in the French top flight. The Argentina captain has also provided two assists in those five matches.
What’s next?A huge Champions League showdown with Bayern awaits PSG in midweek, while Nantes are at home to Nice next Sunday.
Lille hold Lens
Canada forward Jonathan David snatched a second-half equalizer for Lille to finish 1-1 at bitter rival Lens in the northern derby.
David’s 16th goal of the season second to Mbappe came in the second half after goalkeeper Brice Samba denied consecutive efforts from Jonathan Bamba and Remy Cabella in the box.
With 50 goals in all competitions for Lille in less than three seasons, David moved level with Eden Hazard as Lille’s top scorer in the 21st century.Lens moved up to third place, one point above Monaco, which plays on Sunday. Lille stood sixth, six points behind Lens. (AP)
