PSG stunned by Strasbourg in first defeat of season

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:37 am

Paris Saint-Germain suffered their first defeat in 22 games in all competitions since signing Neymar this summer by falling 2-1 at Strasbourg on Saturday.

Last season's Ligue 2 champions toppled the multi-millionaires from the French capital thanks to goals from Nuno Da Costa and Stephane Bahoken at La Meinau, where over 25,000 spectators witnessed the title favourites falter.

Since Neymar joined from Barcelona, PSG had won 13 games with two draws in league play to go with a perfect record in the Champions League and the French Super Cup triumph over Monaco, but Saturday's result came out of the blue.

Nuno Da Costa stunned the visitors with a 13th-minute opener, getting in behind their defence to nod home a free kick swung across from the left by Dimitri Lienard.

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Kylian Mbappe pounced for an equaliser in the 42nd minute, the teenage striker meeting a driven cross from the left by Adrien Rabiot at the near post and giving Strasbourg goalkeeper Bingourou Kamara no chance.

But Strasbourg restored their lead in the 65th minute when Bahoken burst through the middle to beat Alphonse Areola with a thumping strike high into the net.

Home shot-stopper Kamara had to be replaced due to injury with 20 minutes remaining, as Alexandre Oukidja came on in his place, and moments later the league's leading scorer Edinson Cavani stepped off the bench as PSG chased an equaliser.

Pressure was intensely applied to the Strasbourg goal, with nine minutes of stoppage time giving them even greater hope of a leveller.

But Neymar was booked as frustration in the PSG ranks grew, with Strasbourg clinching a stunning win.