Paris Saint-Germain reclaimed the top spot in the Ligue 1 table following a commanding 3-0 victory over Reims on Saturday, propelled by Kylian Mbappe’s impressive hat-trick.
Mbappe wasted no time, breaking the deadlock within three minutes with a perfectly executed far-post volley. Despite Reims dominating the first half, they were unable to find an equalizer, thanks to Gianluigi Donnarumma’s exceptional shot-stopping skills.
PSG showcased significant improvement in the second half, with Mbappe extending their lead through a far-post tap-in from Carlos Soler’s precise cross. The World Cup winner completed his hat-trick with less than ten minutes remaining, capitalizing on Bradley Barcola’s cutback to seal the victory.
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Reflecting on the match, PSG aimed to bounce back from their 2-1 Champions League defeat to Milan midweek. A win was crucial for coach Luis Enrique, knowing it would propel them to the top of Ligue 1, especially after Nice could only secure a point against Montpellier on Friday night. However, facing fourth-placed Reims presented its challenges.
PSG quickly took the lead at Stade Auguste Delaune, with Mbappe showcasing his brilliance once again. Ousmane Dembele’s well-placed cross found Mbappe, who expertly cushioned a volley beyond Yehvann Diouf.
Although Reims believed they had leveled the score shortly after, Junya Ito’s well-taken effort was disallowed for an offside in the build-up. This served as a warning to Enrique’s side, with the Japanese international testing Donnarumma with a low, driven free kick.
Donnarumma, who made crucial saves in the first half, almost became the villain with a stray pass intercepted in the penalty area. Azor Matusiwa had an opportunity but could only fire wide from close range. However, the Italian goalkeeper swiftly redeemed himself with a remarkable save, denying Reims a late first-half equalizer.