Home

Ligue 1 leaders PSG salvage draw at Lens

AAPReuters
Lens and Paris Saint-Germain have scrapped their way to a draw in Ligue 1.
Camera IconLens and Paris Saint-Germain have scrapped their way to a draw in Ligue 1. Credit: AP

Substitute Georginio Wijnaldum has saved the blushes of Paris Saint-Germain and goalkeeper Keylor Navas by scoring a last-gasp equaliser in a fortunate 1-1 draw at Lens in Ligue 1.

Midfielder Wijnaldum headed home two minutes into stoppage time to cancel out Seko Fofana's second-half opener and take leaders PSG to 42 points from 17 games.

Mauricio Pochettino's side, who once again looked severely short of ideas, lead second-placed Marseille by 13 points after OM slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Brest earlier on Saturday.

Lens, who missed several chances to wrap it up before Wijnaldum's equaliser, stayed fifth on 27 points.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

With Kylian Mbappe on the bench as Pochettino sought to rest the France forward, PSG had the first clear chance when Lionel Messi's curled shot struck the post in the 19th minute.

The Game AFL 2024

But it was Lens who dominated, with opportunities through Jonathan Clauss and Arnaud Kalimiuendo before the interval.

The hosts were rewarded in the 62nd minute when Navas's blunder allowed Fofana to score with a floating strike from just outside the box.

Seven minutes later, Pereira Da Costa's shot hit the post before landing in the PSG keeper's arms as Lens continued to push.

Florian Sotoca's attempt went just wide nine minutes from time and it proved to be Lens's last clear chance before Mbappe, who came on in the 70th minute, found fellow replacement Wijnaldum with a fine cross for the Dutchman to net his first league goal of the campaign.

Franck Honorat scored a second-half winner at Stade Velodrome to extend Brest's longest winning run in the top-flight and end Marseille's seven-match unbeaten run.

Champions Lille came from behind to defeat Troyes 2-1 after Jonathan David, the league top scorer, bagged his 11th.

With Lille trailing, the Canada forward went onas a substitute after the interval and scored three minutes later from Benjamin Andre's through ball.

David created the winner four minutes from time when he served up a cross that was turned into his own net by goalkeeper Jimmy Giraudon.

The win lifted Lille to seventh.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails