PSG kept their chances of a Ligue 1 title this season on course as they overcame a spirited Metz side thanks to two goals from Kylian Mbappe and a late Mauro Icardi penalty.
The defending champions, who have one eye on their Champions League fixture against Manchester City on Wednesday, began the tie with their full-strength squad with Neymar and Mbappe leading the line, but they will now be sweating over the fitness of the latter after the French forward picked up an injury late in the game.
The game began at a frantic pace, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side taking the lead within four minutes of the start through Kylian Mbappe. The World Cup winner opened the scoring with a well-taken goal after getting between two Metz centre-backs following an Ander Herrera’s lofted pass.
The goal was the Frenchman’s 34th goal of the season in all competitions and his 24th in the league this season for Paris Saint-Germain. He had the chance to double his tally in the 26th minute but was denied by Alexandre Oukidja, who kept the scoreline at one-nil as both teams went into the break.
Despite registering just one tame shot in the first half and seeing less than 40% of the ball, the hosts came out flying after the break and were level in less than two minutes after the restart.
The goal came from Fabien Centonze, who headed past Keylor Navas in the PSG goal following a wonderful cross by Farid Boulaya.
Despite the hosts best efforts and a wonderful save by Keylor Navas to keep PSG level, the visitors doubled their lead in the 60th minute through the impressive Mbappe, who made it 35 for the season in all competitions.
Mauro Icardi then sealed the win for the Parisians with an 88th minute Panenka penalty to move them on top of the table, two points above Lille, who play on Sunday.
Metz remain in ninth place and are back in action on May 2, when they travel to face Dijon. PSG play Man City next in the Champions League on Wednesday, before a Ligue 1 meeting with Lens on May 1.
Kylian Mbappe limped off the field in the 87th minute for PSG vs Metz this afternoon with a suspected thigh injury.
Pochettino says he does not believe the injury Mbappe suffered today is serious. He is expected to be fit to face Man City.
Kylian Mbappe has scored 25+ league goals in a season for the second time for PSG: ◎ 2018-19 (33) ◎ 2020-21 (25, and counting) Another brace this afternoon.
Pochettino at PSG - Got PSG back on top of Ligue 1 - Won first trophy in third game - Dumped Barcelona out of UCL - Dumped holders Bayern out of UCL - First manager to beat Bayern in UCL since 2019 - Only manager to beat Barcelona at Camp Nou in 2021
Line-ups
Metz
Alexandre Oukidja, Boubakar Kouyate, John Boye, Dylan Bronn, Victorien Angban (Kevin N’Doram), Pape Sarr, Digbo Maiga (Vágner), Thomas Delaine (Matthieu Udol), Fabien Centonze, Aaron Leya Iseka (Ibrahima Niane), Farid Boulaya (Papa Ndiaga Yade).
Substitutes
Mamadou Fofana, Marc-Aurele Caillard, Youssef Maziz, Lamine Gueye.
Paris Saint-Germain
Keylor Navas, Presnel Kimpembe, Thilo Kehrer, Layvin Kurzawa (Mitchel Bakker), Alessandro Florenzi, Leandro Paredes, Marco Verratti, Ander Herrera, Kylian Mbappé (Julian Draxler), Neymar (Mauro Icardi), Pablo Sarabia (Ángel Di María).
Substitutes
Danilo Pereira, Idrissa Gueye, Sergio Rico, Moise Kean, Colin Dagba.
