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Paris Saint-Germain v Metz as it happened – Ligue 1 latest updates as Mbappe scores double on birthday

Ligue 1 / Matchday 17
Parc des Princes / 20.12.2023
Live
Live Updates
Michael Hincks

Updated 20/12/2023 at 22:10 GMT


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FT
MATCH REPORT
Birthday boy Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain overcame a spirited Metz side to maintain their lead at the top of Ligue 1 heading into the winter break.
Mbappe, the young up-and-comer now somehow 25, was barely a threat in the first half, but that all changed after the break as he scored twice – the first an absolute screamer – after Vitinha’s opener.
Matthieu Udol had reduced the deficit to 2-1 before Mbappe’s second, but PSG made their quality count to remain five points clear after second-placed Nice beat Lens.
PSG dominated possession in the first half but had little to show for it, Vitinha’s blocked shot the closest they went as Metz repeatedly threatened on the counter-attack – the visitors even hitting the woodwork when Danilo headed against his own crossbar.
Meanwhile, Mbappe – the league’s runaway top scorer – was reduced to shots from distance after he somehow failed to connect with Bradley Barcola’s cross.
Cue a rise in tempo after the break, with PSG breaking the deadlock in the 49th minute when Lee Kang-in’s cross found Vitinha for his fifth Ligue 1 goal of the season.
And then the inevitable: Mbappe shaking off those first-half woes with a stunner from 20 yards out, the ball dipping at the crucial moment to leave Metz goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja flummoxed.
Udol’s header made for a nervy finale until Mbappe put the game to bed, and now PSG go into the festive break well on course for a third straight league title.
End of 2nd Half
FT
FULL-TIME
Moments after Goncalo Ramos somehow pokes it wide, the full-time whistle goes and that’s job done for PSG, who maintain their five-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 heading into the winter break.
It was far from straightforward, with Metz good value for the goal that got them back into this game, but with two goals the difference and Kylian Mbappe scoring twice – that tells you its own story.
Another night for Mbappe to remember, particularly with his brother making his debut as well late on!
90+3'
WHAT A NIGHT FOR THE MBAPPES
Two goals for Kylian. A debut for Ethan. It'll be some Christmas for the Mbappes you'd imagine.
And it's great to hear the cheers for every Ethan Mbappe touch - his teammates ensuring he sees plenty of the ball in these final moments.
90'
LATE PSG TRIO OF SUBS
Including 16-year-old Ethan Mbappe - what a moment! Cheers as he gets his first touch.
FIVE MINUTES ADDED ON.
E. Mbappé
On
E. Mbappé
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain
M. Ugarte
Off
M. Ugarte
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain
Fouls1
Fouls against1
Free Kicks1
89'
LATE METZ SUB
A. Jallow
On
A. Jallow
FC Metz
FC Metz
D. Jean Jacques
Off
D. Jean Jacques
FC Metz
FC Metz
Fouls3
Wide1
Free Kicks3
87'
MAKE THAT 18 LIGUE 1 GOALS
83'
GOAL! PSG 3-1 METZ (MBAPPE)
It’s that man again… and that’s game over.
Mbappe reads the situation so well there, and he pounces on a poor back-pass before lifting the ball over Oukidja and passing it into the empty net.
Can the now 25-year-old get a hat-trick?
K. Mbappé
Goal
K. Mbappé
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain
Goals2
On target3
Blocked Shots3
Wide2
81'
WIDE!
Somehow… PSG go on the counter themselves and Mbappe’s shot is blocked before it looks as though it will fall for Lee Kang-In.
However, a vital interception from Camara puts it wide for a corner, which Oukidja goes on to catch.
78'
METZ CORNER
Another nervy moment for PSG with Metz winning another corner… More whistles… But it’s Marquinhos who heads it away.
77'
PIROUETTE
That is lovely from Vitinha, who delights the PSG crowd with a pirouette that almost injures Jean Jacques, the midfielder floored by that piece of skill.
WATCH
WATCH: MBAPPE SCREAMER
Metz are back in it, but here's how Mbappe gave PSG a 2-0 lead...
This content is available only in the UK and the Republic of Ireland
72'
GOAL! PSG 2-1 METZ (UDOL)
Metz are back in it! Camara takes the corner to a cacophony of whistles and a glancing header from Udol goes in at the back post – stunning the fans into silence.
Game on!
M. Udol
Goal
M. Udol
FC Metz
FC Metz
Goals1
On target1
Fouls1
Free Kicks1
71'
METZ CORNER
The only real threat for Metz is Van Den Kerkhof, and this time his cross is put out for a corner by Danilo.
Cue another set-piece chance for the visitors, but it is half-cleared before a second Van Den Kerkhof cross is tipped over by Donnarumma.
Metz make another sub.
S. Elisor
On
S. Elisor
FC Metz
FC Metz
J. Asoro
Off
J. Asoro
FC Metz
FC Metz
70'
GOAL NO 17 IN LIGUE 1
He has dropped a little further back this half and it paid off there. A 17th Ligue 1 goal of the campaign for Mbappe.
68'
PSG SUB
Another PSG change, with Kolo Muani – not exactly his night – going off for Asensio.
M. Asensio
On
M. Asensio
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain
R. Kolo Muani
Off
R. Kolo Muani
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain
Fouls against3
Wide1
65'
ON COMES HERNANDEZ
And it's like-for-like at the back for PSG.
L. Hernandez
On
L. Hernandez
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain
M. Škriniar
Off
M. Škriniar
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain
Fouls2
Free Kicks1
63'
SUB FOR METZ
L. Camara
On
L. Camara
FC Metz
FC Metz
H. Maïga
Off
H. Maïga
FC Metz
FC Metz
Fouls1
63'
WATCH: VITINHA'S OPENER
This content is available only in the UK and the Republic of Ireland
60'
GOAL! PSG 2-0 METZ (MBAPPE)
AND HE GETS HIS BIRTHDAY GOAL! AND WHAT A STUNNER IT IS!
He’s tried his luck a few times from there, and this time it pays off – Mbappe takes his time, picks his spot and curls a sensational effort into the far top corner from around 20 yards out.
K. Mbappé
Goal
K. Mbappé
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain
Goals1
On target2
Blocked Shots2
Wide1