Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured a commanding 4-2 victory against AS Monaco during Ligue 1 Matchday 16, showcasing their prowess on the pitch and sending a clear message to their competitors.
The match, held on December 18, 2024, marked another notch on PSG's quest for the title, as they extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1 with 40 points—10 points clear of second-placed Olympique Marseille. The match unfolded at the Stade Louis II, where the excitement built up after both teams engaged heavily right from the outset.
PSG's goals came from Doué and Ousmane Dembélé, who scored twice, along with Gonçalo Ramos rounding out the tally. Monaco managed to hit the back of the net through Eliesse Ben Seghir and Breel Embolo, providing their supporters with moments of hope before PSG regained control.
The opening act started lively, with PSG's Hakimi delivering the perfect cross to Doué at the 23rd minute, who struck it home to set the tone for the visitors. "Dembélé completed the scoring, cleverly guiding the ball past the goalkeeper, confirming PSG's victory," reported by L'Équipe.
Monaco was not to be outdone, though, rallying back after half-time. Just eight minutes post the interval, they equalized through Ben Seghir, who scored with conviction after the referee awarded them a penalty due to Marquinhos' handball. This sparked resurgence among the home side, who took the lead shortly after via Embolo, much to the delight of the local crowd.
PSG, faced with adversity, found their rhythm once more. The squad's resilience shone through when Fabián Ruiz's effort was deflected, allowing Dembélé to pounce on the rebound at the 64th minute, restoring parity. Then it was Gonçalo Ramos who headed home from Lee Kang-In's corner kick, giving PSG the advantage at 3-2 with 12 minutes left.
With Monaco chasing the game, Dembélé sealed the deal during injury time with another slick finish, ensuring his team's dominance and leaving the final score at 4-2. The collective efforts reinforced PSG's status as title favorites this season, demonstrating their ability to bounce back when under pressure.
The win for PSG not only extends their unbeaten run to five games, with three victories during this stretch but also indicates Monaco's struggling form, having secured only two goals across their last three matches. Monaco is left pondering strategies as they look to break their winless streak.
Following the match, PSG's focus shifts as they prepare for the upcoming Coupe de France clash against Lens, set to take place on December 22, 2024. Meanwhile, Monaco will face L'Union Saint-Jean, hoping they can turn their fortunes around and build on their potential.
PSG continues to set the pace this season, firmly establishing their dominance within Ligue 1. The upcoming fixtures for both teams will be pivotal as each side aims to secure favorable positions heading deep to the holiday season, making every point count.
