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PSG suffers its first defeat since March as Lens closes the gap at the top of Ligue 1.

1/3/23, 4:01 AM

126Asia Sports

Paris Saint-Germain suffered its first defeat since March on New Year's Day, falling 3-1 to Lens.

PSG was without Lionel Messi, who is still absent from Argentina's World Cup victory, and Neymar, who was suspended after receiving a red card against Strasbourg, for Sunday's top-of-the-table game in Ligue 1, which was the team's first loss in 32 games.

After five minutes, Przemysaw Frankowski scored for the home side when Gianluigi Donnarumma's save fell at his feet, but PSG quickly equalized through Hugo Ekitiké's close-range finish.

Los Openda reclaimed the lead for Lens midway through the first half, slipping past Marquinhos and slipping a shot under Donnarumma to make it 2-1.

Then, early in the second half, Openda contributed to the victory with a clever backheel that put Alexis Claude-Maurice through on goal.

Lens is now unbeaten at home this season and is only four points behind PSG at the top of Ligue 1.

“We made far too many mistakes against a Lens side that deserved their victory,” said PSG coach Christophe Galtier.

“Even if we tried to fight back, we had a chance to make it 3-2, but for the first time this season, we completely lost our organization,” he added. “Why? I’m not sure, but we will talk with the players concerned and look at the different areas of our play.”

Despite a 0-0 draw against Nice on Thursday, Lens is unbeaten in its last seven league games as it attempts to close the gap on PSG.

126asia, sportsnews

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