Georginio Wijnaldum saved PSG in extremis from a second defeat in the Championship, by equalizing with a header (90th + 2) on a cross from Kylian Mbappé.

Dominated in the game and in envy by the Lensois who touched the post for the 2-0 (69th), the Parisians had for them only the baraka that has accompanied them since the start of the season.

As against Lille (2-1) or Lyon (2-1), they struck at the very end of the match, snatch - a style that defines them well, as they continue to disappoint in the game. has beaten no other top 5 team this season.

Messi even got a match point (90th + 4), but his ideally placed free kick, full axis 27 meters from the goal, ended in the stand.

Seeing the Argentinian superstar miss such an opportunity may leave some regrets, obviously, but given the 94 minutes that have been played before, Paris can be considered happy.

Lensois captain Seko Fofana opened the scoring with a long shot, poorly captured by Keylor Navas (62nd), which rewarded the efforts of generous Lensois, supported by a united audience.

Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian striker Lionel Messi wrestles with Ivorian Lens midfielder Seko Fofana on Matchday 17 of Ligue 1, December 4, 2021 at Stade Bollaert-Deleli François LO PRESTI AFP

Post for Messi

Has PSG progressed?

The question that observers ask themselves at each match had a first answer before kick-off.

Marquinhos' teammates won, without playing, the honorary title of best team in the first leg, following Marseille's defeat against Brest (2-1).

It's better than last year since, a year ago, Lyon had beaten them in the standings - a premonitory second place for the Parisians, who finished second behind Lille.

This time, PSG has a 13-point lead over its Marseille runner-up (who has one game less), which suggests a happy ending in five months, that is to say the tenth club championship title.

But when it comes to quality of play, the question of the moment remains a hot potato, remained unanswered after an evening in the land of chips.

Once again, Paris alternated interesting sequences - Messi touched the post (18th), Icardi and Di Maria were dangerous (37th, 45th + 1) - with others more worrying, especially during the first half hour.

Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian striker Lionel Messi wrestles with Ivorian Lens midfielder Seko Fofana on Matchday 17 of Ligue 1, December 4, 2021 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis François LO PRESTI AFP

Perhaps inspired by the Sainte-Barbe, the party which pays tribute to underground miners, celebrated on the day of the match, the Parisians went down very low, without Kylian Mbappé, replacement, nor Neymar, injured.

It took several decisive stops from Navas, against Jonathan Clauss (25th) or Cheick Doucouré (30th), to save his team from the looming firedamp.

Post for Lens

But by dint of being solicited, the Costa Rican committed a hand fault on the strike of Fofana, a cruel outcome, but logical given the scenario of the meeting.

The joy of Ivorian midfielder from Lens, Seko Fofana (l), after opening the scoring at home against Paris Saint-Germain, during the 17th day of Ligue 1, on December 4, 2021 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis François LO PRESTI AFP

On the action of the goal, Messi was on the ground, after a contact.

His teammates demanded that the Lensois stop the game, but they continued.

At the time of the engagement, tensions emerged between players of the two camps, Marco Verratti recovering a yellow card at the start of the scrum (64th).

The pride stung, the Parisians tried to reverse the course of the match.

The entry in the wake of Mbappé (70th) suggested a start from the players of the capital, especially as their top scorer was immediately dangerous (71st), but the goalkeeper Jean-Louis Leca, very good, was interposed.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappé against Lens, during Matchday 17 of Ligue 1, December 4, 2021 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis François LO PRESTI AFP

But Paris has not been better.

Cut in two, between those who threw themselves headlong into attack and the few who remained to defend, the Parisian bloc was exposed to many Lensois counterparts.

It's almost a miracle that the Northerners did not score the second goal, David Pereira da Costa finding the post on his attempt (69th).

Przemyslaw Frankowski (78th) found him Navas.

Wijnaldum had the last word of an evening that almost turned into a shipwreck.

The Parisian ship continues to pitch, but it advances.

© 2021 AFP