Paris, November 25, 2023 – Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) warmed up for a crucial Champions League match against Newcastle by defeating Monaco 5-2, extending their lead by four points at the top of the Ligue 1 standings.
Goncalo Ramos gave the hosts the lead, but Gianluigi Donnarumma’s clearance fell to Takumi Minamino, who equalized.
A converted penalty by Kylian Mbappe restored PSG’s lead, and they scored two more goals in the second half through Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha.
Folarin Balogun scored for Monaco, but Randal Kolo Muani added the fifth goal for PSG.
Mbappe’s goal against his former team was his 14th of the season in the league and came after Soungoutou Magassa fouled Dembele in the penalty box.
Earlier, Ramos capitalized on a mistake by away goalkeeper Philipp Kohn to score, just a few days after his long-term future was secured.
The 22-year-old had joined PSG on loan from Benfica in the summer, but earlier this week, PSG announced that they activated the clause to buy him for £70 million, with the Portuguese international striker now contracted to the club until 2027.
Two goals in the space of three minutes in the second half – Dembele finishing from Fabian Ruiz’s pass and Vitinha’s excellent curled strike that went in off the post – put the game out of reach for Monaco.
PSG lost 4-1 to Newcastle in the Champions League at St James’ Park in October. However, with two matchdays remaining, only three points separate all four teams in Group F, with PSG in second place, hosting bottom-placed Newcastle on Tuesday.z z z z z z z z z z
In Ligue 1, reigning champions PSG, aiming for their third successive title, are four points clear of Nice, who will play their postponed match on Sunday against Toulouse, with Monaco in third place.
