Kylian Mbappe scores twice off Lionel Messi assists to help PSG stay top in Ligue 1

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:54 am
Kylian Mbappe celebrates with Lionel Messi and Neymar during PSG's win over Nantes.
Lionel Hahn/Getty Images

Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain geared up for their Champions League opener with a routine 3-0 win at 10-man Nantes to stay top of the Ligue 1 standings on Saturday.

France forward Mbappe found the back of the net either side of the interval to take his season's tally to seven before being replaced by Neymar as coach Christophe Galtier looked to spare the duo before PSG host Juventus on Tuesday.

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PSG have 16 points from six games and lead second-placed Marseille, who beat AJ Auxerre 2-0 away, on goal difference.

PSG opened the scoring when Mbappe beat Nantes keeper Alban Lafont from inside the box after being set up by Lionel Messi in the 18th minute.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men six minutes later when Fabio Da Silva was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Vitinha.

Mbappe doubled the lead nine minutes into the second half at the end of a quick counter attack. The 23-year-old found Messi in the box and the Argentine slid the ball towards Mbappe who tapped in at the near post.

Nuno Mendes then made it 3-0 in the 68th minute, firing home after Neymar's strike had bounced off the post for PSG's 24th goal in Ligue 1 this season.

Olympique Lyonnais, who have a game in hand, climbed up to third on 13 points after Karl Toko Ekambi's double and a goal by Alexandre Lacazette gave them a resounding 5-0 victory against Angers.

Lens are fourth, also on 13 points, and travel to Stade de Reims on Sunday.

Earlier, Marseille continued their near-perfect start with a solid victory at promoted Auxerre with Alexis Sanchez showing his worth with his third goal since joining from Inter Milan as a free agent during the close season.

Igor Tudor's side prevailed through an early Gerson goal and substitute Sanchez's late strike while Cengiz Under caught the eye with a sterling display in the first half, four days before their Champions League trip to Tottenham Hotspur in London.