On December 18, 2023, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) claimed an exhilarating 4-2 victory over AS Monaco at the Stade Louis-II, reinforcing their dominance at the top of Ligue 1. The match was packed with goals, dramatic comebacks, and individual brilliance, making it one for the history books.
The early exchanges saw PSG control possession and create several opportunities. They broke the deadlock thanks to 18-year-old Désiré Doué, who scored his first league goal after being set up by Achraf Hakimi. Doué’s precise finish from inside the box put PSG 1-0 up at the 24th minute, rewarding their attacking intent.
Despite this setback, Monaco held on through the first half, relying on some strong saves from goalkeeper Philipp Köhn, and they appeared to regroup during the break, determined to respond after falling behind.
After halftime, the tides turned dramatically. Within the first ten minutes, Monaco equalized through a penalty converted by Eliesse Ben Seghir following a handball by PSG captain Marquinhos (1-1, 53’). The momentum shifted entirely when Breel Embolo put Monaco ahead just minutes later, scoring with deft placement past PSG’s substitute goalkeeper Matvey Safonov (2-1, 60’).
Facing unexpected adversity, PSG did not waver. They quickly equalized, with Ousmane Dembélé finishing off the rebound from Fabian Ruiz’s shot mere minutes after falling behind (2-2, 64’). Dembélé, who had been contained for much of the match, suddenly found himself at the center of attention, sparking life back to the Parisian side.
PSG seized control of the game once more, with Gonçalo Ramos scoring from a corner delivered by Kang-in Lee (3-2, 82’). The 22-year-old header was clinical, showcasing his ability to deliver when it mattered most, even though he was fresh off the bench.
The match was capped off by Dembélé, who scored his second goal of the evening and secured the victory deep in stoppage time (4-2, 90+7’). Dembélé's deft chip over Köhn sealed the deal and called time on Monaco’s comeback hopes.
While the match ended with jubilation for PSG fans, it was marked by tragedy for the Paris goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian international sustained severe facial injuries after being accidentally kicked by Monaco's Wilfried Singo just 17 minutes in. Donnarumma was forced to leave the field, his face bloodied and requiring multiple stitches. Luis Enrique, PSG’s manager, commented on the incident, stating, "It’s very unfortunate when these things happen, but I have nothing more to say about it," reflecting on the dangerous nature of the contact.
Enrique also noted during the post-match conference, "I never blame the referees as football is a contact sport," reinforcing his stance on the sporadic physicality within matches.
This victory was pivotal for the Parisians, who now hold a significant 10-point lead over second-placed Monaco and Olympique de Marseille, who have played one match fewer. PSG remains invincible this season and seems determined to clinch the league title.
Monaco’s recent struggles continue, as they have only managed one win from their last six matches, raising questions about their title aspirations. This match illustrated the stark difference between the two teams at present.
The world of Ligue 1 is set for another clash with PSG facing Olympique de Marseille for the Trophée des champions on January 5, 2024. With the momentum firmly on PSG's side, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see if they can continue this impressive run and maintain their position as the league's frontrunners.
