Strasbourg boosted their Champions League qualification hopes on Saturday with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a heavily rotated Paris Saint-Germain side at the Stade de la Meinau.
The hosts took the lead 20 minutes into the match when a corner flicked on by Mamadou Sarr was inadvertently turned into his own net by Lucas Hernandez.
Just before the halftime whistle, Strasbourg doubled their advantage as Habib Diarra surged down the right and set up Felix Lemarechal, who finished brilliantly from the edge of the area, curling a first-time shot into the top corner.
Bradley Barcola responded quickly for PSG after the interval, embarking on a solo run that ended with a calm finish, his 19th goal of the season in all competitions.
Despite eight minutes of added time, the defending champions couldn’t find an equalizer.
Strasbourg’s win extends their unbeaten streak to 12 matches, dating back to early February, and momentarily lifts them to fourth in Ligue 1.
They now trail second-placed Marseille by just one point and are level on goal difference with third-placed Nice, who edged Reims 1-0 on Friday.
With the Ligue 1 title already secured, PSG fielded a much-changed lineup from the side that defeated Arsenal 1-0 in the Champions League semi-final first leg.
Only Joao Neves retained his place in the starting eleven, while top scorer Ousmane Dembele, who netted the winner in London, missed out entirely after picking up a knock during that game.
PSG coach Luis Enrique handed a Ligue 1 debut to 17-year-old Axel Tape and only a third league start to fellow 17-year-old winger Ibrahim Mbaye.
After halftime, more youth was introduced, with 18-year-old defender Noham Kamara also making his top-flight debut, replacing the injured Hernandez.
Despite flashes of promise from their young talents, PSG’s domestic unbeaten run was halted for the second straight weekend.
Meanwhile, Strasbourg’s surge continues as they chase a return to Europe’s top table for the first time since the 1979/80 season.
Still, the race remains tight. Lille, Monaco, and Lyon are all within three points of Strasbourg, with Monaco due to face Saint-Etienne later on Saturday and Lille hosting Marseille on Sunday.
