PSG lose for first time since March as Lens close gap at top of Ligue 1

CNN
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Paris Saint-Germain suffered their first defeat since March as the French champions lost 3-1 against Lens on New Year’s Day.

PSG were without Lionel Messi – still out after Argentina’s World Cup victory – and Neymar – who was suspended after receiving a red card against Strasbourg – for Sunday’s top-flight match in the League 1, which marked the team’s first loss in 32 games.

Przemysław Frankowski opened the scoring after five minutes for the home side when Gianluigi Donnarumma’s save fell at his feet, but PSG fought back soon after with Hugo Ekitiké’s close-range finish.

Lois Openda regained the lead for Lens midway through the first half as he avoided a sliding challenge from Marquinhos and managed to get a shot under Donnarumma to make it 2-1.

Then early in the second half, Openda helped complete the win with a clever backheel to put Alexis Claude-Maurice through on goal.

The result means Lens remain unbeaten at home this season and move within four points of PSG at the top of Ligue 1.

“We made too many mistakes against a Lens team that deserved their victory,” said PSG coach Christophe Galtier.

“Even though we tried to fight back, we had a chance to make it 3-2, but for the first time this season we completely lost our organization,” he added. “Why? I’m not sure, but we’ll speak with the players affected and look at the different areas of our game.”

Despite drawing 0-0 against Nice on Thursday, Lens are unbeaten in their last seven league games as they seek to gain ground at PSG.