World Cup top scorer Kylian Mbappé has proved once again that he is a different player for his club Paris St. Germain. Ten days after losing the World Cup final in the Ligue 1 match against outsiders Racing Straßburg, the French striker scored the winning goal from the penalty spot to make it 2-1 (1-0).
In the sixth minute of added time, Mbappé kept his nerve, unlike the Brazilian star Neymar: he saw the yellow card in the 61st minute for a foul, two minutes later he flew off the pitch after a yellow and red swallow. According to the TV station Channel+ Neymar left the Prinzenparkstadion during the match.
His compatriot Marquinhos initially gave Paris the lead (14′) and equalized after the break with an own goal (51′).
Paris, where Argentine idol Lionel Messi was given a special leave until the beginning of January after his World Cup triumph, celebrated their 14th victory in 16 league games and consolidated their leadership in the table.
For Mbappe, the transition to everyday life was anything but easy. “I don’t think I’ll ever get over failing at the World Cup,” he said.
AS Monaco wins against AJ Auxerre
Goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, on loan from Bayern Munich, also celebrated an important victory for AS Monaco in the fight for European positions. The Principality club prevailed 3-2 (1-1) at AJ Auxerre and initially climbed to fifth place in the table.
Nübel is one of FC Bayern’s candidates to compensate for the failure of international goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The captain broke his leg during a skiing holiday in the Alps in early December after Germany lost the World Cup and will be out until at least the summer.
Nübel is the “obvious solution” for FC Bayern, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said just before Christmas. However, Nübel’s loan will last until the end of the current season. “In the end, AS Monaco has the last word,” said Salihamidzic.
Monaco manager Philippe Clement explained after the match in Auxerre First video regarding Nübel who is “completely focused on Munich” and “works very well with us”. He has “nothing else to say”.
Among others, Swiss international goalkeeper Yann Sommer, whose contract with Borussia Mönchengladbach expires at the end of the season, is being treated as a serious alternative for FC Bayern.
