Ousmane Dembele recovered from a missed penalty to score and inspire Paris Saint-Germain to a 3-1 comeback victory over Strasbourg on Saturday, lifting the defending champions to the top of the Ligue 1 standings.
PSG fell behind to an early strike from United States international Giovanni Reyna at the Stade de la Meinau before Dembele, last year’s Ballon d’Or winner, missed a penalty in the 72nd minute.
However, the forward made amends in spectacular fashion, setting up Illia Zabarnyi for the equaliser in the 78th minute before scoring the winner five minutes from time.
Dembele then played a key role in the build-up to Desire Doue’s stoppage-time goal as Luis Enrique’s side secured their fourth consecutive Ligue 1 victory and sixth straight win across all competitions, including the Champions League.
After failing to win any of their first three league matches this season, PSG have climbed to 14 points from seven games. They lead the standings on goals scored ahead of Monaco, who visit Lorient on Sunday.
Lille, Rennes, Paris FC and Lyon also have opportunities to move above PSG over the weekend.
The encounter represented one of PSG’s toughest domestic tests of the season, coming just three days after their thrilling 4-2 Champions League victory over Manchester City and three days before they host Barcelona.
With the Barcelona clash in mind, Enrique made eight changes to the side that started against City, leaving Dembele among the substitutes.
Strasbourg looked to capitalise on the visitors’ reshuffled line-up and took the lead in the 17th minute. Reyna collected a pass from Gessime Yassine inside the penalty area, turned sharply and beat goalkeeper Matvey Safonov with a low finish at his near post.
PSG were indebted to Safonov shortly after the break when the goalkeeper produced an excellent low save to deny Conrad Harder.
Enrique subsequently introduced several key players, including Dembele and Doue, as PSG intensified their search for an equaliser.
The visitors were awarded a penalty after a VAR review determined that a Doue shot had struck the arm of Pape Demba Diop. However, Dembele, who converted a penalty in PSG’s Champions League final victory over Arsenal in May, sent his spot-kick wide in the 72nd minute.
He quickly redeemed himself, delivering a cross from the right for Ukraine defender Zabarnyi to score from close range six minutes later.
Dembele then completed the turnaround in the 85th minute, controlling the ball on the edge of the penalty area before firing home to give PSG the lead.
It was his first Ligue 1 goal of the season, adding to the three he had already scored in the Champions League.
The French international, who has been nominated again for this year’s Ballon d’Or, then helped create PSG’s third goal in stoppage time. After bringing down a long clearance from Safonov, he found Ferran Torres, who set up Doue to seal the victory.
Meanwhile, Lille will seek to recover from their 3-0 Champions League defeat to Arsenal when they host Brest later on Saturday. A victory would take them to the top of the Ligue 1 table.
AFP
