A week after snatching a precious last-ditch triumph over Nice (1-0), Paris Saint-Germain returned to Ligue 1 action on Matchday 12 away to Olympique Lyonnais at the Groupama Stadium, in one of the most eagerly awaited fixtures of the season in the top flight.
In an electric atmosphere, the two teams brought great intensity to the occasion as no quarters were asked, nor given. In a tight opening, both teams struggled to break down the well-organised defences until Vitinha released Warren Zaïre-Emery down the right wing. The France international timed his run perfectly, bursting into the box and unleashing a powerful shot into the roof of the net at the near post that gave Dominik Greif no chance (0-1, 26')!
Lyon responded just minutes later through Afonso Moreira, picked out by Moussa Niakhaté’s ball over the top, and the Portuguese midfielder beat Lucas Chevalier with a clinical finish (1-1, 30'). The two teams traded blows, and Vitinha made the difference again by winning the ball off Tanner Tessmann high up the pitch: the ball fell to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who curled home into the far corner of the net (1-2, 33').
OL had first chance to equalise before half-time when their captain Nicolas Tagliafico saw his half-volley hit Chevalier’s left-hand upright (42'). After the break, it was another Lyon full-back, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who drew the two sides level. Played in behind the Parisian defence by Tyler Morton, the England international lobbed the ball over the stranded Rouge et Bleu goalkeeper (2-2, 50').
The side from the French capital kept fighting and Lee Kang-In could have given them the lead again when he cut inside from the right wing and forced Dominik Greif into a save (62').
The game was in the balance as the clock ticked past 90 minutes. Reduced to ten men after Nicolas Tagliafico was sent off in added time, Les Gones faced wave after wave of Parisian attacks in the dying moments of the match.
And in the final seconds of the match, João Neves rose to head home Lee's corner and give Paris Saint-Germain a last-gasp victory (2-3, 90+5')!
At the end of a passionate and intense match of football, it was the Parisians who came out on top and moved back to the top of the league table. Now it's time for the international break for Les Rouge et Bleu, who will return to Ligue 1 action on Saturday 22 November, when they host Le Havre AC at the Parc des Princes.
Paris est magique!