In a stunning turn of events, Paris Saint-Germain saw their unbeaten record in Ligue 1 come to an abrupt end with a 3-1 home defeat against OGC Nice at the Parc des Princes on Friday, April 25, 2025. This loss not only dashed PSG's hopes of completing a season without a single defeat but also came just days before their crucial Champions League semi-final against Arsenal.
PSG had been riding high after securing their fourth consecutive Ligue 1 title earlier this month and were aiming to make history as the first team to finish a French top-flight season unbeaten. However, Nice had other plans, with Morgan Sanson emerging as the hero by scoring twice for the visitors.
The match began with PSG dominating possession and dictating the pace, creating numerous scoring opportunities. Despite their early pressure, it was Nice who struck first in the 35th minute. Morgan Sanson, making his first start of the season, capitalized on a well-placed through-ball from Badredine Bouanani, executing a clinical first-time finish to put Nice ahead.
However, the lead was short-lived as PSG's Fabian Ruiz equalized just six minutes later with a stunning half-volley that left Nice's goalkeeper, Marcin Bulka, with no chance. The parity was fleeting, as Nice reasserted their dominance just 22 seconds into the second half when Sanson volleyed home his second goal from close range, igniting a wave of disbelief among the home crowd.
The visitors weren't done yet. In the 70th minute, Youssouf Ndayishimiye headed in a free kick to extend Nice's lead to 3-1, sending PSG's title aspirations for an unbeaten season crashing down. Despite enjoying 75% of possession and creating double the number of goal-scoring opportunities, PSG struggled with their finishing and were thwarted by some remarkable saves from Bulka.
Bulka's performance was nothing short of heroic, as he made a series of outstanding saves, including a reflex stop against Goncalo Ramos and another against Vitinha from the edge of the box. Each save was celebrated passionately, demonstrating the importance of the match for Nice, who are now in a strong position to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Following the match, PSG's coach Luis Enrique reflected on the defeat, stating, "We attacked in many different ways; they defended incredibly well. We would love to play the same kind of match against Arsenal and have 30 chances, but we have to congratulate Nice and we will do our best to support each other." His words echoed the sentiment of a team that, while disappointed, is focused on the challenges ahead.
This defeat marks a significant milestone for PSG, ending their impressive 30-match unbeaten run in Ligue 1 this season and their 41-game streak against French teams, which dated back to a loss against Toulouse on May 12, 2024. The record for the longest unbeaten run from the beginning of a French season still belongs to Nantes, who went undefeated for 32 matches during their title-winning campaign in 1994/95.
As PSG prepares for their Champions League semi-final against Arsenal on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, they will need to quickly put this defeat behind them. The return leg is set for May 7, 2025, at the Parc des Princes, where PSG will be looking to bounce back and assert their dominance on the European stage.
On the other hand, Nice's victory is a significant boost to their Champions League ambitions, propelling them to fourth place in Ligue 1, just behind third-placed Monaco on goal difference, with Marseille in second only a point ahead. The top three teams in Ligue 1 secure direct qualification to the Champions League group stage, while the fourth-placed team enters the preliminary rounds.
As the dust settles on this surprising result, PSG faces an uphill battle to regain their confidence and momentum ahead of a high-stakes match against Arsenal. With the pressure mounting, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Parisians can recover from this setback and make a strong showing in the Champions League.
