Soccer-Clinical Nice hand champions PSG first Ligue 1 defeat of the season
PARIS (Reuters) -Paris St Germain's hopes of becoming the first side to complete a Ligue 1 season unbeaten came crashing down at the Parc des Princes on Friday when Nice handed them their first defeat of the league campaign, winning 3-1 to boost their own Champions League ambitions.
Having already secured the title earlier this month, PSG still top the Ligue 1 standings on 78 points, while Nice move up to fourth on 54.
The home side dominated the opening half-hour and created chance after chance but it was the visitors who took the lead through Morgan Sanson as he marked his first start of the season by applying a clinical first-time finish to Badredine Bouanani's through-ball in the 35th minute.
The lead lasted just six minutes as Fabian Ruiz scored with a sumptuous half-volley to level but any thoughts the PSG fans might have had of their side going on to dominate were extinguished 22 seconds into the second half when Sanson scored his second, volleying the ball into the net from close range.
Having scored from their only two shots on target up to that point, the visitors went 3-1 up when Youssouf Ndayishimiye headed home a free kick in the 70th minute
PSG, who face Premier League side Arsenal away in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday,enjoyed 75% of possession and managed to create twice as many goal-scoring opportunities but they were left frustrated by their own wayward finishing and some inspired goalkeeping from Marcin Bulka.
With the clock ticking past 90 minutes and seven minutes added on for stoppages, Bulka pulled off a superb reflex save to deny Goncalo Ramos and he followed that up with another top-drawer stop of Vitinha's shot from the edge of the box, celebrating each save loudly.
The Parisians continued to pour forward but Nice defended doggedly and held on to give their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League a considerable lift.
(Reporting by Philip O'Connor; editing by Clare Fallon)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
5 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Isak breaks silence on Newcastle exit, says move ‘in best interests of everyone' amid Liverpool links
LIVERPOOL, Aug 20 — Alexander Isak believes his departure from Newcastle is 'in the best interests of everyone' after breaking his silence on the saga of the Premier League transfer window amid speculation over a move to Liverpool. The Swedish international, who was the second-highest goalscorer in the Premier League last season, has not featured for the Magpies in pre-season or their opening game of the campaign, a 0-0 draw away at Aston Villa on Saturday. Liverpool have reportedly had a £110 million bid (US$149 million) rejected for the 25-year-old, with Newcastle holding out for a British transfer record fee of up to £150 million. Isak released a statement on Tuesday after deciding not to appear at the Professional Footballers' Association awards event despite being selected in the Premier League 2024/25 team of the year. 'I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn't reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors,' Isak posted on Instagram. 'The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading. 'When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now - and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.' According to reports, Isak had been promised an improved contract only for northeast side Newcastle to hold off due to pressures of meeting financial sustainability rules. Newcastle responded with a statement late Tuesday saying that while they were saddened by Isak's comments, they could yet welcome the 25-year-old back into the squad. 'We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening,' the club wrote. 'We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer. 'We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views.' The statement added: 'This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates.' Isak has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances since joining from Real Sociedad in 2022, including the winner against Liverpool in the League Cup final earlier this year that ended Newcastle's 70-year wait to win a domestic trophy. Liverpool have already spent around £300 million overhauling a squad that romped to the Premier League title last season. But they have also recouped over £200 million in sales and are still in the market for attacking options after the departures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez and tragic death of Diogo Jota. Any deal is unlikely to be done before the two clubs face off in their next Premier League game on Monday at St James' Park. — AFP
Malay Mail
35 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Rangers face Champions League exit after 3-1 home defeat to Club Brugge
PARIS, Aug 20 — Rangers look set to miss out on the Champions League after suffering a 3-1 home loss to Club Brugge in the first leg of their play-off tie yesterday. The Scottish side made a disastrous start as a defensive mix-up allowed Romeo Vermant to run through and loft the ball over goalkeeper Jack Butland from 30 yards. Defender Jorne Spileers swept in a corner as Brugge doubled their lead inside seven minutes at Ibrox. The bitter mood inside the ground soured further when centre-back Brandon Mechele blasted in a third from just outside the area on 20 minutes. Danilo pulled a goal back at the start of the second half but Rangers have a huge task on their hands going into next week's return leg in Belgium. 'We want to qualify for the Champions League and we'll do everything we can next week,' Rangers boss Russell Martin told Amazon Prime. 'That (Danilo) goal changes everything. We have the privilege of hunting and chasing. We go in as underdogs, I'll enjoy that and I think the players will as well.' Qarabag of Azerbaijan won 3-1 against Ferencvaros in Hungary to take a big step towards the league phase. Cypriot side Pafos, who made their European debut in last season's UEFA Conference League, were 2-1 winners at Red Star Belgrade. Rangers' arch-rivals Celtic host Kairat Almaty on Wednesday, while Benfica visit Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce. Basel are at home to Copenhagen as Norwegians Bodo/Glimt take on Sturm Graz of Austria. — AFP
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Mohamed Salah makes history as first player to win PFA player of the year three times
MANCHESTER, Aug 20 — Mohamed Salah became the first player to win the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) men's player of the year for a third time yesterday after guiding Liverpool to Premier League glory. The Egyptian scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists to propel the Reds to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title with four games to spare last season. Salah also scooped the award in the 2017/18 and 2021/22 seasons. The 33-year-old picked up the Football Writers' Association and Premier League player of the year awards in recent months. Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers won young player the year following a breakthrough campaign that saw the attacking midfielder make his senior international debut for England. Salah is joined in the 2024/25 PFA Premier League team of the year by Liverpool team-mates Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. Milos Kerkez, who moved to Anfield from Bournemouth in June, is also selected, as are the Arsenal trio of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice. Matz Sels and Chris Wood are recognised for their fine campaigns at Nottingham Forest, while wantaway Newcastle striker Alexander Isak is included after finishing second to Salah in the Golden Boot race. Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey won the women's player of the year accolade after her role in helping the Gunners win the Champions League. The Spanish midfielder scored 19 goals in all competitions, including eight in the Champions League, in her first season in England. Olivia Smith recently joined Caldentey at Arsenal in a world-record £1 million ($1.4 million) deal and won the women's young player of the year prize following her superb season at Liverpool. — AFP
