Szperkowska, Le Guilly (C) (Mbock, 58'), Samoura, Fatier, Elimbi Gilbert (Dudek, 46'), Echegini (Karchaoui, 46'), Jourde, Yaya (Morissaint, 82'), Lafontaine, Kanjinga, Leuchter (Ajibade, 67').
Buoyed by their first two wins in the opening two matchdays of the league, the Paris Saint-Germain women’s team were aiming for a third consecutive victory against Nantes. Paulo César’s players quickly took control of the match, with a high defensive line on the pitch at the Campus PSG, forcing the visitors to play out from their own half.
But the Canaries remained focused and disciplined in the face of the Rouge et Bleue’s possession-based play, forcing the home side to be patient in their attempts to break them down. Compact and well-organised, the Nantes defence gave the Parisians a tough time, as they struggled to find a way through despite their clear technical superiority.
As the second half got underway, the Parisian manager made several changes and he had to deal with an unexpected turn of events just a few minutes later, when the Parisian side were reduced to ten after Marie Estella Lafontaine was sent off (52'). The task became even more difficult for the capital club, though they could count on their goalkeeper Oliwia Szperkowska, who made a crucial save from Esther Buabadi's effort (55'). Shortly afterwards, Paris came close through Florianne Jourde, whose shot went just wide (57').
It was going to take more than that to discourage the Rouge et Bleue, who were showing increasing initiative, despite the way the match was going. Pierre-Alain Picard’s side remained unyielding in defence, although they were largely absent in attack. It took a moment of genius from Merveille Kanjinga, who, in the dying moments of added time, secured the win for her team with a thunderbolt, to the delight of the Parisian fans (1–0, 90+7)!
Merveille Kanjinga’s celebration – the match’s only goalscorer and Paris’s heroine of the evening!
