Brace from Javier Pastore carries short-handed PSG to win over Nice

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:18 am

Javier Pastore scored twice as Paris St Germain beat Nice 3-1 to return to the top of Ligue 1.

The two-time reigning champions moved a point ahead of Lyon with victory over Claude Puel's side.

Pastore's opener was cancelled out in first-half injury time by Mathieu Bodmer but the Argentinian scored again just after the hour and Edinson Cavani's penalty rounded off the result.

In the absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, suspended for three games for comments about the referee following last month's defeat at Bordeaux, PSG knew they would have to look elsewhere for goals and midifelder Adrien Rabiot tested goalkeeper Simon Pouplin early on.

David Luiz recovered a desperate situation at the other end to prevent Alassane Plea getting a shot away, while Said Benrahma shot just wide.

Luiz failed to connect with Ezequiel Lavezzi's corner but PSG took the lead in the 39th minute when Lucas Moura found space and sent the ball in behind the defence for Pastore, who used Lavezzi's run as a decoy before stroking a neat right-footed finish past Pouplin.

Javier Pastore's two goals helped PSG to a victory on Saturday.
VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images

Nice's Albert Rafetraniaina sent a long-range shot just wide but played a part in the equaliser in first-half stoppage time when, from a partially cleared corner, his weak volley was diverted home by Bodmer who was played onside on the six-yard line by Cavani.

Pouplin saved Luiz's effort from a corner early in the second period and opposite number Salvatore Sirigu was equally alert to keep out Carlos Eduardo's header.

Luiz failed with two attempts to convert Lucas Digne's corner but PSG restored their lead through Pastore in the 63rd minute.

The playmaker, recently labelled the best player in the world by former Manchester United and France striker Eric Cantona, attempted to live up to that billing as he juggled his way past Romain Genevois and pulled the trigger. That effort was parried but was deflected back to Pastore, who fired home emphatically.

And it was 3-1 when Cavani was fouled in the area by Jordan Amavi and sent Pouplin the wrong way from the spot.

Nice's Valentin Eysseric shot just wide and then drew a sharp save from Sirigu after Rabiot's error but there was no way back for Nice.