Paris Saint-Germain won the game in the last minute against Brest on the 27th Matchday of Ligue 1 to continue their run at the top of the table (1-2).
With a calm and determined attitude, the Parisians returned to their domestic duties with a trip to the tip of Finistère to take on Stade Brestois. Without a number of key players, from Neymar Jr to captain Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe, Achraf Hakimi and Nordi Mukiele, Christophe Galtier assembled a different starting line-up. Youngsters Warren Zaire-Emery and Timothée Pembele started, as well as Kylian Mbappé and Leo Messi up front.
Although Paris-Brest are often tasty affairs, the context of the match today was quite different, with a difficult match in Brittany awaiting our Red and Blue: a charming and packed stadium, in a cold and windy climate. In the opposing camp, without much surprise, Eric Roy's strategy was to defend deep, close off the spaces and attack on the counter.
But the Parisians did not fall into the trap, and there were a few excellent recovery tackles, such as those from Nuno Mendes against Mounié (19') or Sergio Ramos against Honorat (25').
Christophe Galtier's men were determined and diligent and made their task easier by establishing themselves in the home side's half from the early stages of the game. There was a clear desire to do damage to their opponents, and this was soon reflected in a number of clear-cut chances, such as Carlos Soler's effort, which was tipped onto the bar by Bizot (11'), and Mbappé's cross-shot, who was starting to cause problems (27'). It was from a powerful shot from the Frenchman that Carlos Soler, who was on alert, made the most of his opportunism to smash a shot off the underside of the bar and into the net (0-1, 37'). But the Breton side did not wait long to bounce back from this setback. Honorat put the two teams back on level terms after a quick break before half-time (1-1, 43').
After the break, the Parisians knew that it was all to play for against their hosts, who were full of hope. The duels became more bitter, the tension increased, and it was becoming a battle to find new spaces. So the Red and Blue varied their methods of attack: combinations completed by Kylian Mbappé (60', 73'), Leo Messi's long-range shots (64'), Nuno Mendes' overlapping runs (69')... The team had to be creative to break through the Breton backline.
Who else but the inevitable Kylian Mbappé to turn the game on its head? After another assist from Leo Messi - the 300th in his career - the club's all-time top scorer scored the club's 3,000th goal in the top flight (1-2, 90'). It was a vital goal, proving once again that Kylian loves to be a late match-winner.
Paris Saint-Germain showed their character by beating a valiant Brest side to increase their lead at the top of Ligue 1, with a provisional gap of 11 points over rivals and second-placed Marseille. Mission accomplished.