Kylian Mbappé Runs Rampant: PSG Striker Overcomes Early Penalty Miss to Inspire Ligue 1 Leaders to Victory Against Strasbourg

Kylian Mbappe recovered from an early penalty miss to inspire Paris Saint-Germain to a 2-1 victory away to a battling Strasbourg.

PSG extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to nine points, but they should have been a goal down in the first minute when the ball fell to Moise Sahi in the six-yard box, only for goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to make a point-blank stop to deny the forward. Just three minutes later, Randal Kolo Muani was fouled in the box, and the Paris outfit were awarded a penalty; however, Mbappe’s spot kick was brilliantly saved by Alaa Bellaarouch. Habib Diarra was inches away from putting the hosts ahead when his long-range strike clipped the top of the bar, but they were undone by Bellaarouch gifting PSG the opener when Asensio charged down the keeper’s pass and Mbappe was on hand to sweep in his 20th goal of the season. PSG showed their ruthless side when Mbappe bent a delightful cross with the outside of his foot to Asensio, who tucked the ball into the net after a flowing move. Far from deflating Patrick Vieira’s men, they pulled a goal back in the 68th minute through Dilane Bakwa and nearly equalized, but Donnarumma made a superb double save to deny Junior Mwanga and Emanuel Emegha. Strasbourg had 19 shots to PSG’s nine, but they couldn’t find a way through as Luis Enrique’s team just about held on at Stade de la Meinau.

While he did miss a penalty, Mbappe got a goal and beautifully assisted Asensio for PSG’s second of the night. Former Real Madrid man Asensio was a contender for man of the match, as was keeper Donnarumma, but Mbappe just provided a bit more of a threat throughout than the Spaniard.

Keeper Bellaarouch came in for Matz Sels in between the sticks following the Belgian’s move to Nottingham Forest on transfer deadline day, and while he pulled off a great penalty save, his mistake for PSG’s opener was inexplicable. He took way too long to release the ball and gave the visitors a lead they didn’t deserve.

PSG return to action on Wednesday when they host Brest in the last 16 of the French Cup, and Strasbourg entertain Le Havre in the same stage of the competition on the same date.

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