Mbappé scores off bench as PSG win to extend Ligue 1 lead

1:24

Laurens: Mbappe only wants Real Madrid

Julien Laurens examines Kylian Mbappe's decision to leave PSG.

Updated: Feb 18, 2024, 03:24 am

Kylian Mbappé came off the bench to score a late penalty as Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain won 2-0 at Nantes and moved 14 points clear of second-placed Nice on Saturday.

Mbappé was fouled and confidently put his spot kick to the right of goalkeeper Rémy Descamps in the 78th minute, then pointed at a pitchside television camera and smiled before vigorously clenching his fist.

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It took his league-leading tally to 21 and his season's haul to 32 in 31 games. After the final whistle he took off his jersey and gave it to PSG's traveling fans.

He was put on the bench by coach Luis Enrique, two days after ESPN reported he had told PSG he's leaving at the end of the season. He came on in the 61st minute just after Lucas Hernández scored with a shot that deflected and looped over Descamps.

Enrique may well have been resting Mbappé since he has been nursing a sore left ankle recently and also sat out last Sunday's home game against Lille.

Kylian Mbappé didn't take long to score after coming off the substitutes' bench for PSG.
Franco Arland/Getty Images

"It was a tough first half but the attitude of the players was excellent," Enrique told reporters.

"In the second half we were better with more attacking presence in the box, it was difficult but we were fortunate to score the first goal."

Left winger Bradley Barcola forced a save from Descamps 10 minutes into a tight first half. Near the end of it, Nantes twice went close following quick counterattacks and had a goal from defender Nicolas Pallois disallowed for offside.

Pallois forced PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to tip over with a dipping shot from 25 meters early in the second half, and lively forward Mostafa Mohamed drew another save from him with 10 minutes remaining.

"The league is not settled, it is true that we lack an opponent that challenge us but it is the result of our performance," Enrique added.

"Until it is mathematically certain we can't say anything, there are still a lot of games left."

"It is important for us to be solid in the league, to be a team that uses the league to reinforce a way of playing to win more titles."

PSG next face Stade Rennais on Sunday.

Information from the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.