Mbappe scores twice but PSG slumps to first loss of season

Paris Saint-Germain slipped to their first Ligue 1 defeat of the season despite a brace from Kylian Mbappe as an impressive Nice secured a 3-2 victory at the Parc des Princes on Friday, with Terem Moffi scoring twice.

PSG fell behind less than halfway through the first half as Moffi found the net following a poor error from Mbappe.

The French striker made amends on the half-hour mark, but Gaetan Laborde restored Nice’s lead eight minutes after the break and Moffi put another past the ragged hosts.

Mbappé volleyed back to give hope to the reigning French champions, but Nice held on.

Luis Enrique’s PSG, who would have usurped Monaco at the top with three points, instead slipped to third place in the initial standings with eight points from five games, one point behind undefeated Nice.

“Throughout the match they were fresher than us,” Luis Enrique said after his first defeat as PSG coach.

“Obviously a loss hurts, we all have to improve, myself included. But I liked our state of mind.

“Of the three goals, two were deflected. Nice played very good football, but I’m not worried and I saw the fans supporting their team even when they were two goals down.

Nice, backed by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, are hoping to bounce back this season after a disappointing campaign last season where they could only finish ninth in Ligue 1.

“Everything has to be perfect to get a result here, the opponents must not be at their level and you have to put in a complete performance,” said Nice coach Francesco Farioli.

“Beyond the tactical aspects, I saw a team of warriors. »

Verratti’s farewell

Paris Saint-Germain Italian midfielder #06 Marco Verratti poses for photos in front of Paris Saint-Germain ultra supporters during a ceremony honoring him following his club’s departure, before the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and OGC Nice at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on September 15, 2023. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Before kick-off, Parc des Princes bid farewell to Marco Verratti after ending his 11 years at PSG to join Qatari club Al-Arabi.

Messages from former teammates, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, were shown on the big screen, while Verratti was given a lap of honor on the pitch.

The Italian midfielder made 416 appearances for PSG, winning nine Ligue 1 titles and six French Cups, but failed to help the club to their first Champions League triumph.

Nice dampened the celebratory atmosphere by taking the lead in the 21st minute as PSG struggled in defense.

Mbappe dropped deep into his own half to gain possession, but immediately gave it away in a dangerous area and the ball bounced kindly for Moffi whose shot deflected wide off Milan Skriniar and spun into the net.

The visitors almost doubled their advantage when Khephren Thuram’s shot was well saved by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Mbappe made an impact at the right end of the pitch as he scored his sixth league goal in four matches this season, unleashing a powerful shot from Achraf Hakimi after a poor save attempt from Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka.

PSG began to dominate but almost went into the break when Jordan Lotomba created an excellent chance over the bar with the final kick of the first half.

Nice restored their advantage in the 53rd minute, however, as Moffi played Laborde past Donnarumma.

Paris continued to pile up chances in defense and Moffi virtually ended the match in a match with 21 minutes to go.

The PSG defense fell back on the Nigerian striker and he took his time before scoring low into the top corner from outside the box.

Mbappe curled an acrobatic volley into the far corner after good work from substitute Randal Kolo Muani on his debut, but Nice saw out the final moments with relative ease.

PSG will now have to recover before their opening match of the Champions League group stage against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

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