Champions PSG secure narrow win as Nice denied Champions League berth

Paris Saint-Germain overcame Kylian Mbappe’s absence as they beat 10-man Nice 2-1 to close in on a Ligue 1 record.

The imminently departing Mbappe was absent through injury on Wednesday at Allianz Riviera, but PSG got the job done thanks to quick-fire first-half goals from Bradley Barcola and birthday boy Yoram Zague.

Nice had hit the post through Khephren Thuram early on, and they dragged themselves back into the contest when Mohamed-Ali Cho slammed home in the 32nd minute.

Jeremie Boga, Terem Moffi and substitute Gaetan Laborde went close to an equaliser, but Nice’s hopes of restoring parity took a blow when Melvin Bard saw red in the 75th minute.

Barcola struck the woodwork with a golden opportunity soon after, though champions PSG were not made to pay for that miss, and should they avoid defeat against Metz on Sunday, will become the first team in Ligue 1 history to go an entire campaign unbeaten on the road.

Thuram should have made PSG pay for some slack play in the fifth minute, only to hit the left-hand upright when one-on-one with Arnau Tenas.

Nice were left to lament that miss when Barcola steered home in the 18th minute after pouncing on Jordan Lotomba’s error and exchanging passes with Fabian Ruiz.

Barcola had Lotomba’s number again five minutes later, skipping beyond the full-back and cutting back for the onrushing Zague to tuck home to mark his 18th birthday in style.

Yet Nice were right back in when Boga brilliantly teed up Cho, whose strike could only be helped in by Tenas.

PSG were fortunate to go into half-time with their lead intact – Tenas denying Boga from close range before Marquinhos diverted Moffi’s goalbound effort wide.

Tenas’ sloppiness in possession might have cost PSG midway through the second half, yet Laborde let him off with a tame finish.

And Nice’s chances were dented soon after – Barcola drawing a rash foul from Bard, who was sent straight off by referee Ruddy Buquet, whose decision stood after a VAR check.

Barcola should have made sure of the points when he hit the post with the goal gaping, but PSG held firm as Nice’s slim hopes of qualifying for the Champions League were dashed.

With Mbappe heading for pastures new after the conclusion of this campaign, this was a taste of what is to come for PSG, and Luis Enrique will certainly be wanting reinforcements in the transfer window.

While Barcola filled in admirably for Mbappe down the left, PSG will need more quality across the pitch if they are to try and keep pace with Europe’s elite without the talismanic Mbappe.

PSG certainly need to bring in some form of replacement for Mbappe, but in Barcola, they do have a fine young talent on their hands.

The 21-year-old was a constant menace to Nice’s defence, and his dazzling footwork and perfect pass for PSG’s second goal matched his clinical finish for their opener. He has now provided seven assists and scored four goals in Ligue 1 this season.

Nice: Bulka 6, Lotomba 5, Todibo 6, Dante 7, Bard 6, Sanson 6, Rosario 6, Thuram 6, Cho 7, Moffi 7, Boga 7. Subs: Boudaoui 6, Laborde 6, Mendy 6, Perraud 6, Guessand 6.

PSG: Tenas 6, Zague 7, Marquinhos 6, Skriniar 6, Beraldo 6, Zaire-Emery 7, Vitinha 7, Fabian Ruiz 7, Lee 6, Ramos 5, Barcola 8*. Subs: Asensio 6, Mayulu 6, Soler 6.

5’ – CHANCE! Nice 0-0 PSG (Thuram): How has that not gone in?! A bad mistake from PSG as they look to play out from the back allows Thuram, who could be set to play at Euro 2024 for France, pounce. He takes a quick snapshot, and it beats Tenas but then rattles back off the right-hand upright. Could he have picked his spot there? It’s a big let off for the visitors!

18’ – GOAL!!! NICE 0-1 PSG (Barcola): Mbappe-esque! PSG take the lead out of nowhere! A slack bit of play from Lotomba proves costly as the full-back’s heavy touch is pounced on by Barcola, who exchanges passes with Fabian Ruiz before setting himself and ripping a brilliant finish into the right-hand corner. It’s 1-0 to the visitors!

23’ – GOAL!!! Nice 0-2 PSG (Zague): It’s 2-0, and what an assist from Barcola! The youngster is on fire here, as he skips easily beyond Lotomba and drills a cutback into the six-yard box, where full-back Zague is on hand to tuck home his first PSG goal. What a moment for the teenager, and more excellent from Barcola. Luis Enrique’s team are well on their way to victory now.

32’ – GOAL!!! Nice 1-2 PSG (Cho): Nice pull one back! Boga does brilliantly to charge into PSG’s area and evade a glut of defenders before laying it off for Cho, who sweeps home with aplomb! Tenas got a hand to it, but could only help it in. It’s game on!

75’ – RED CARD!!! BARD IS SENT OFF! Could that be game over? Nice had been applying the pressure but, from a corner, PSG break through Barcola. Bard charges across and takes the winger out, and the referee reaches for a red card! It seems harsh – will VAR hand him a reprieve?

79’ – CHANCE! Nice 1-2 PSG (Barcola): That should have been 3-1! A cross from the right found its way through to Barcola, but with the goal gaping, he could only cushion a volley against the woodwork. He’s had a great night, but that was a bad miss! Will PSG live to regret it?