Mute since March 11 in the league, the center forward of PSG woke up for the clash against Lens on Saturday at the Parc des Princes. The French international took the opportunity to become the only top scorer in the club’s history in L1.
Failing to shine, the PSG is reassured. Fallers of their Lensois dolphin, Saturday April 15, Christophe Galtier’s men sealed their success in the first period, well helped by the early expulsion of Salis Abdul Samed (19th) for a big late tackle on Achraf Hakimi’s ankle . In the space of nine minutes, from the 31st to the 40th, the Parisians sparked off some brilliant sparks to take control of the game. And as so often, it was Kylian Mbappé who was the detonator.
139 goals in Ligue 1 with Paris, Mbappé erases Cavani from the shelves
His first brilliance in the 12th minute, when he eliminated Przemyslaw Frankowski with a hook before rushing everyone then delivering a caviar – badly exploited – to Lionel Messi, was a first signal of the good state of form of the international tricolor. Author of many calls, number 7 of PSG has never ceased to make himself available to his partners. His activity was rewarded shortly after half an hour of play. Deviation, clever relay with Vitinha and pivot shot which came to find the nets of Brice Samba (1-0, 31st): Mbappé showed off all his class to put his own in front of the score.
Mute for three games in the league – against Rennes, Lyon and Nice – he took the opportunity to sign not only his 20th achievement of the season, but above all to become the only top scorer in the history of PSG in the elite, with 139 goals (in 169 games) against 138 for Edinson Cavani (in 200 games).
A Messi-Mbappé connection still as precious
The record in the pocket, the PSG striker was able to continue his festival. In the 36th minute, it was he who, with a floating shot, forced the Lensois goalkeeper to make a fine save to deflect the ball for a corner. A few seconds later, Vitinha propelled his shot to the bottom for the break (2-0, 36th).
But perhaps more than his goal or his incessant movements, it is his marvelous assist for Lionel Messi that will be remembered. The Argentinian asked the French for a combination at the entrance to the opposing area. The latter distilled a perfectly dosed heel which came to find the sevenfold Golden Ball in depth, who only had to conclude from the left with a cross shot (3-0, 40th).
Further proof that the two men still speak the same language. Since the start of the season, the duo have combined on 23 goals scored for their team. An exchange of good practices which allowed, on Saturday, PSG to escape perhaps definitively at the head of the championship.
Much more discreet in the second period like all of his teammates, Mbappé can, despite everything, have the feeling of accomplishment. The star woke up to find the way to the nets at the best time. This was necessary for PSG to get its head above water and defend a crown which could have faltered severely without its presence.