Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) solidified their position at the top of Ligue 1 with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Lyon on Sunday, February 23, 2025, extending their lead to 13 points. Achraf Hakimi's impressive two-goal performance proved pivotal as PSG overcame challenges from their rivals, enhancing their dominance this season.
The match, held at Lyon's home ground, initially posed difficulties for the visiting team. PSG struggled to find the breakthrough until Hakimi scored the opener in the 53rd minute, receiving a delectable pass from Bradley Barcola. Hakimi's deft finish marked the beginning of the end for Lyon; just six minutes later, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia set up Ousmane Dembele, who showcased his dribbling prowess before netting the second goal.
Lyon attempted to claw back as Rayan Cherki pulled one back seven minutes from time, taking advantage of Georges Mikautadze's excellent run and assist. Yet, Hakimi quickly restored PSG’s two-goal cushion merely two minutes later, finishing beautifully after overlapping Lee Kang-In. Lyon kept the pressure on, and captain Corentin Tolisso managed to score during injury time, heading home Ainsley Maitland-Niles' cross. Nevertheless, PSG held on to their lead, emphasizing their seasoned resilience.
Coach Luis Enrique, pleased with the win, reflected on the match's pressure-filled moments. "It was tricky match, with many moments of pressure, and moments we had to control,” he commented after the match. “But I think we are a team with personality, and we are very happy with the result. Every match is an opportunity to grow. Today, we had to defend in the final minutes, which is not something I like! But at the same time, it’s another proof of character and I’m happy."
Player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also shared his thoughts, stating, "It was a difficult match, the final minutes were complicated because they attacked with all their players, and we defended. But the most important thing is we won today and took the three points. We keep moving forward. The team is very strong. We show... we are playing very beautiful football."
This victory marks PSG's impressive run, having now won 11 matches against teams ranked in the top half of Ligue 1—a record no other team has accomplished across Europe’s top five leagues this season. Their unbeaten streak now stands at 23 matches, reflecting the commanding nature of their performances under Enrique, with 18 wins and five draws.
Lyon, on the other hand, suffered their fourth consecutive Ligue 1 defeat to PSG, repeating only their second occurrence of such streak, which last happened between September 1981 and April 1983. This match exemplified Lyon's struggles against PSG's tactical discipline and individual brilliance. Despite their advancements and attempts during the game, Lyon couldn't muster a decisive comeback. The statistics reveal Lyon is now trailing significantly behind PSG’s dominant run.
The match also follows Marseille's defeat to Auxerre on Saturday, underscoring PSG's advantageous positioning as they approach the latter stages of the season. This subsequent win emphasizes not only the strength of PSG as title contenders but also highlights the shifts occurring within the league, giving spectators insight as to how the competition may evolve.
With the match completed and tensions high, PSG’s players celebrated their spirited effort, leaving Lyon to lament their missed opportunities and reconsider their strategy moving forward. PSG continues to display their title credentials, maintaining composure under pressure as they gear up for upcoming challenges.