Strasbourg edge Paris FC in thriller
Liam Rosenior's Alsatians headed to the French capital to kick off a busy Sunday in Ligue 1 McDonald's -- catch up on all the action from the Stade-Jean Bouin with our match report.
Paez impresses on full debut
The match started at breakneck pace on the part of the hosts, as within the second minute, Mike Penders made three fine saves to keep out each of Moses Simon, Pierre Lees-Melou and Ilan Kebbal. From there, the match settled somewhat, with Kebbal -- in great form of late, being a nuisance on the right. Racing would respond on the counter, though, but Joaquin Panichelli and Kendry Paez were unable to link well and the chance went begging.
Having weathered the storm, Racing would then be first on the scoresheet as Paez, making his first start since his summer arrival, would nod home a after a fine cross from Diego Moreira (27'). Hamari Traoré would then spurn a fine chance at the back post, firing over from six yards, but Racing would hold the lead at the break, readily absorbing the hosts' attempts to claw back a goal. Indeed, the Alsatians might have regretted Valentˆin Barco snatching at a chance after a fine cutback from Martial Godo, another player making his full debut.
Paez’s first Strasbourg goal! 🇪🇨💎 pic.twitter.com/ecAnYcLjp6
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) September 21, 2025
racing cling on
In the second half, Racing had the bit between their teeth, and dominated the early going, but without being rewarded. Paris FC would have a fine chance through Kebbal once more but Penders (four saves) continued to stifle the hosts' efforts. Encouraged by this, Paris FC pushed to to equalize with more fortitude, but still no sight of goal. With fifteen minutes to play, Mamadou Sarr was late on substitute Alimami Gory, and was perhaps lucky to avoid a red card, but it was only a caution and the young defender stayed on the pitch to help his side hold on.
And hold they had to: while Guéla Doué, making his first appearance of the season, had doubled the lead, Nouha Dicko pulled one back for the hosts ten minutes from time, making it 2-1 ahead of a furious finish. Emanuel Emegha added a third just before full time, but in added time PFC had a second through Gory, making for a nervy end, but eventually 3-2 was the final margin.
Following the win, Racing sit a provisionally third with an impressive four wins from their first five Ligue 1 McDonald's matches. They'll next have a chance to burnish their credentials as a contender for the top four on Friday against Marseille, while Paris FC will lick their wounds before making a trip to face a struggling OGC Nice on Sunday.
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