Mbappe gifted goal helps PSG beat Strasbourg
Kylian Mbappe had a penalty brilliantly saved but was gifted the opening goal as champions Paris Saint-Germain edged energetic Strasbourg 2-1 away in Ligue 1 on Friday.
PSG now have 47 points from 20 games with second-placed Nice taking on third-placed Brest on Sunday on 38 and 35 points respectively.
Patrick Vieira’s Alsace club flew out of the blocks and Gianluigi Donnarumma stopped a shot with his shoulder inside the first minute.
And on his Ligue 1 debut for Strasbourg, 22-year-old goalkeeper Alaa Bellaarouch saved Mbappe’s well-struck penalty in the fifth minute to leave the superstar striker holding his head.
Mbappe however took his 20th league goal of the campaign slamming the ball into a gaping goal after a panicked clearance from the rookie ‘keeper.
Mbappe then turned provider early in the second half with a deft centre clinically finished by Marco Asensio.
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A youthful Strasbourg struck back when a cross found Dilane Bakwa alone at the far post and the 21-year-old forward’s cool flick left Donnarumma no chance.
Bakwa blazed a shot over the bar from a similar position 10 minutes from time with PSG coach Luis Enrique looking concerned from the sidelines.
Former France captain Vieira was booked for arguing with the referee as fans urged their side forward in a noisy Stade de la Meinau.
But there was no repeat of PSG blowing a two-goal lead in their home draw with Brest last Sunday.
Strasbourg sit mid-table with 25 points from 20 games after a match in which the visitors eventually dominated.