Luis Enrique’s men display championship mettle as Nuno Mendes strikes late to secure victory after Achraf Hakimi’s red card threatened to derail their title charge.

Character is revealed not when things are going well, but when the odds are stacked against you. Paris Saint-Germain showed that character in abundance on Sunday night, battling through adversity to secure a vital 2-1 victory over Strasbourg. The win sends them back to the top of the Ligue 1 table, a position they seem determined not to relinquish, regardless of the drama that surrounds them.

Red Cards and Resilience

The narrative of the match shifted violently in the 75th minute when Achraf Hakimi saw red. The Moroccan full-back, usually a source of creativity, was dismissed for a dangerous challenge, leaving his team with ten men and a game hanging in the balance at 1-1. It was the kind of moment that has caused PSG to crumble in seasons past. But this is Luis Enrique’s PSG—a team forged in discipline and collective belief.

Instead of retreating, the Parisians pushed forward. The winner came from an unlikely source but in familiar fashion. Nuno Mendes, bombing down the left flank, found himself in the box to finish a move that defied the numerical disadvantage. It was a goal of pure determination, a signal that this team can win ugly when the beautiful game fails them.

• The Scorers: Youngster Senny Mayulu had opened the scoring for PSG, only for Guela Doue to equalize for Strasbourg. Mendes’ late strike proved to be the difference-maker.
• The Table: The three points lift PSG back above their rivals, restoring order to the Ligue 1 standings and piling pressure on the chasing pack.
• Tactical Shift: Luis Enrique deserves credit for his substitutions and for instilling a mentality where ten men play with the intensity of twelve.

A Champion’s Response

Strasbourg will feel aggrieved. They had the champions on the ropes and failed to land the knockout blow. For PSG, this was more than just three points; it was a psychological victory. It proved they could survive without their stars aligning perfectly.

As the season enters its critical phase, these are the wins that define title races. PSG may have lost a man in Strasbourg, but they found their soul.