Dembele and Doue lead PSG comeback win at Strasbourg

Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to beat RC Strasbourg 3-1 at Stade de la Meinau and move up to second in Ligue 1, with substitutes Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue making the difference after half-time.

Strasbourg had been on course to extend their unbeaten league run to four matches when Giovanni Reyna put them ahead in the 17th minute. Reyna beat Matvey Safonov at his near post with a low finish, despite PSG having created the greater early pressure.

The visitors had already gone close when Ferran Torres’ powerful header was kept out by Filip Jørgensen at point-blank range. At the other end, Maghnes Akliouche missed a remarkable chance for PSG, firing wide with the goal unguarded.

Both teams had recorded six attempts by the half-hour mark, although only three had been on target. Strasbourg also missed another promising opportunity when Fabio Balde pulled his effort across goal from a good position.

The match continued to move quickly from one end to the other, with PSG dominating possession as the interval approached. They had held 78.4% of the ball during the previous 15 minutes, but could not turn that control into an equaliser before half-time.

PSG started the second half on the attack, but Strasbourg’s defence, led in particular by Pape Diop, resisted the sustained pressure.

Safonov then produced an excellent one-handed save to his left to deny Conrad Harder’s header, which appeared destined for the net. The stop helped PSG regain momentum, although Jørgensen continued to keep them out and had still not been beaten after an hour.

Strasbourg threatened to increase their advantage when Gessime Yassine, Harder and Jeyland Mitchell tested Safonov in quick succession. However, with 20 minutes remaining, PSG were awarded a penalty after VAR identified a handball by Diop.

Dembele, introduced from the bench, missed the opportunity when he dragged his attempt wide of Jørgensen’s right-hand post. He quickly recovered from that error, delivering a precise cross for an unmarked Illia Zabarnyi to tap in and level the match.

The current Ballon d’Or winner then completed PSG’s turnaround by driving home a late second goal. Doue added a third in stoppage time with a straightforward finish to secure the points.

The defeat means Strasbourg have still failed to keep a clean sheet in 26 meetings with PSG, a sequence consisting of two wins, six draws and 18 defeats.

PSG now go into their Champions League fixture with Barcelona after making the task considerably harder for themselves at Strasbourg.

Flashscore named Illia Zabarnyi the Man of the Match.