Paris Saint-Germain started the new year with their first loss of the Ligue 1 season after going down 3-1 to RC Lens on Sunday night.
Ligue 1
Result: RC Lens 3-1 Paris Saint-Germain
Date: 01 January 2023
Venue: Stade Bollaert-Delelis
Carlos Soler was recalled by PSG manager Christophe Galtier to replace the suspended Neymar, as the Spaniard joined Mbappe and Hugo Ekitke in the attack.
The home side broke the deadlock after five minutes when Przemyslaw Frankowski fired home from close range after PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma could only parry Florian Sotoca's volley.
PSG weren't behind for too long as Ekitike restored parity three minutes later by poking home a cross from Nordi Mukiele for his second league goal of the season.
Lens did not have the win knocked out of their sails as they went on to restore their lead in 28th minute as Lois Openda collected a pass from Seko Fofana before skipping past Marquinhos to slot home from close range.
The Ligue 1 leaders nearly pulled themselves shortly before the break when Mbappe picked up a loose ball to unleash from distance, but his shot deflected just wide of the upright.
Lens, however, came out firing in the second half and bagged a third goal two minutes when Openda turned provider to neatly set up Alexis Claude-Maurice who rifled the ball past Donnarumma.
Galter responded with a double change on the hour mark, as Pablo Sarabia and Vitinha replaced Danilo Pereira and Fabian Ruiz in midfield.
The changes nearly paid off as Sarabia went close to reducing the deficit in the 75th minute but his header was superbly tipped away by Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba.
PSG continued to push for a second goal in the latter stages, but Lens defended superbly to see out the victory, which sees the side move within four points of PSG in second spot.
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