Teenage PSG starlets shine as patched-up champions go top with Metz thriller

Paris St-Germain climbed to the top of Ligue 1 despite an injury crisis, edging out bottom club Metz 3-2 in a lively, nerve-shredding night in the east of France.

Luis Enrique’s side raced into a two-goal lead and looked comfortable early on, even without key men Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi and captain Marquinhos. Goncalo Ramos opened the scoring before teenager Quentin Ndjantou doubled the advantage, but PSG never quite managed to put the game to bed.

Metz dragged themselves back into it just before the break when Jessy Deminguet smashed in a fine effort from the edge of the box, giving the hosts belief and unsettling PSG as they headed down the tunnel.

The visitors restored their two-goal cushion shortly after the hour when Desire Doue, on as a half-time substitute, calmly finished one-on-one with Jonathan Fischer. It was the 19-year-old’s first league appearance since October after a hamstring injury and he made it count.

Much of the night, though, belonged to PSG’s kids. Seventeen-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye and 18-year-old Ndjantou were fearless on the wings, combining for the second goal as Mbaye beat his man and fired in a low cross that Ndjantou slid home for his first senior goal.

Mbaye went close to scoring himself, crashing a breakaway effort off the bar, with Doue’s follow-up well saved. PSG should have been out of sight, but Metz refused to lie down.

With nine minutes left, Giorgi Tsitaishvili produced a stunning strike into the top corner after a neat one-two with Gauthier Hein, setting up a frantic finish. PSG wobbled, but just about held firm to take all three points.

The win sends PSG top of the table for now, though Lens can reclaim first place if they beat Nice on Sunday. Metz stay rooted to the bottom with just 11 points from 16 games, while PSG head into their next fixture encouraged by the emergence of another batch of young talent.