Neymar missed Paris Saint-Germain's visit of Nantes, but Kylian Mbappe played a decisive role in his absence with the winning goal.
2018/2019 Ligue 1
1-0
Match Events
2' Di Maria's long shot over the bar
Early chance for Di Maria! PSG immediately go on the front foot and carve out a decent opportunity on goal. It's Di Maria who gets a shot away from the edge of the penalty area, but his side-footed volley is overhit and fails to trouble Tatarusanu.
29' Cavani misses one-on-one chance
Huge opportunity for Cavani! The striker makes a great run through the middle of the Nantes back line and only has Tatarusanu to beat, but he gets his first touch all wrong and allows the ball to run through to the goalkeeper. He really should have done better there!
68' GOAL! PSG 1-0 Nantes (Mbappe)
GOAL! PSG have opened the scoring, and this time it will count! A curling corner from Di Maria sails into the middle of the box and is nodded over to Mbappe, who pops up at the far post and pokes in from close range to make it 1-0.
72' Di Maria almost extends lead to 2-0
Match Report
Kylian Mbappe made the difference in the absence of Neymar, scoring the only goal of the game as Paris Saint-Germain beat Nantes 1-0 to end 2018 in victorious fashion.
Brazil star Neymar had been allowed to travel back to his home country to rest following recent struggles with a groin injury, and while PSG missed his craft, they scraped the win nonetheless.
Angel Di Maria looked PSG's biggest threat in the first half, though his two best strikes did not quite hit the target as the hosts failed to make the most of their superiority.
PSG remained the controlling force after the interval and finally broke the deadlock through Mbappe in the 68th minute, and that proved to be enough as the hosts' first Ligue 1 game since December 5 – due to the 'gilet jaunes' demonstrations – ended with a triumph.
Player Ratings
Line-ups
PSG XI: Gianluigi Buffon, E. Cavani, Thiago Silva, Á. Di María, Verratti, T. Meunier, J. Draxler, Marquinhos, Bernat, P. Kimpembe, K. Mbappé
Subs: D.Alves, Choupo-Moting, K. Rimane, Kehrer, S. Cibois, Nkunku, M. Diaby
Nantes XI: C. Tătărușanu, L.Lima, Krhin, Pallois, K. Mbodji, E.Sala, A.Touré, Boschilia, Rongier, D.Carlos, Kwateng
Subs: Fábio, Majeed Waris, Girotto, Coulibaly, M. Dupé, M. Miazga, Moutoussamy