There was a stalemate in the first half and PSG counter-attacked in the second half
In the 22nd round of the French league at 4 a.m. Beijing time on February 18, Paris Saint-Germain played away against Nantes. The first half was a goalless affair, but second-half goals from Lucas Hernandez and Kylian Mbappe ultimately helped PSG to a 2-0 victory and lead the table.
In the first period, both sides were cautious in attack, with PSG trying to open up the opposition defence through the playmaking of Lee Gang-jin and Asensio, while Nantes relied on quick counter-attacks to find the back of the net. However, despite a number of threats to the Nantes goal, Lee Gang-in and Asensio failed to find the back of the net.
In the 17th minute of the game, Li Gangren cut inside the right side of the penalty area, but was blocked by the opposing defender. Nantes had a couple of chances after that, but performances from Donnarumma and Marquinhos allowed PSG to defuse the risk in front of goal. In first-half stoppage time, Nantes scored a goal but was ruled offside and the goal was disallowed and the two sides went into the break with a 0-0 scoreline.
In the rematch, Paris Saint-Germain showed a more decisive offensive posture. In the 52nd minute, Kolo Muani's cross gave Marquinhos a chance to head over, but it went over the crossbar. Palova then tested the Nantes goalkeeper again with a long-range shot that was saved by Donnarumma.
It wasn't until the 60th minute that PSG broke the deadlock. Lucas Hernandez's cross was deflected into the net after a block by a defender to give PSG a 1-0 lead. Immediately afterwards, Paris Saint-Germain made three substitutions, with Mbappe coming off the bench. In the 78th minute, Mbappe was brought down in the penalty area by the opposing player, and the referee awarded a penalty, and Mbappe personally took the penalty to expand the score to 2-0.
Although Nantes had a number of chances in the second half, they failed to capitalise on them. In the end, Paris Saint-Germain won 2-0 away at Nantes, making it three consecutive league wins and five consecutive wins in all competitions, leading the Ligue 1 table by 14 points.
The match showed PSG's consistency and quality in key moments, especially in the second half. Lucas Hernandez's goal and Mbappe's penalty showed the team's composure and decisiveness, while the defensive performance also earned the team the victory. PSG's victory not only extended their winning streak, but also further cemented their lead in Ligue 1.
However, for Nantes, the defeat may inspire them to fight even more in the hope of seeking ** in their next matches. At the same time, PSG will need to stay focused, as the race for the league title is not over yet and other rivals may still be challenged.
Overall, the match not only showcased the fierce competition in Ligue 1, but also gave fans a glimpse of PSG's ambitions this season. As the season progresses, we can expect more exciting games and exciting moments.