Icardi replaces Mbappé, PSG blows

Without Kylian Mbappé suspended, it was Mauro Icardi who played the saviors for Paris SG with a header in the very last seconds (90th + 1).

In a match that looked like a trap at Moustoir, Paris was scared: Lionel Messi found the post (26th) and struggled in vain against the penultimate of L1, who opened the scoring on a splendid stretch strike from Thomas Monconduit (39th).

The entry of Sergio Ramos, at the break, was supposed to bring more experience but the former Madrid defender saw his match cut short by a red card (86th) and Paris seemed to be heading for a defeat ... until to Icardi's lightning.

Enough to save the day for his coach and compatriot Mauricio Pochettino, who would have spent the holidays surrounded by rumors of departure in case of defeat ... "See you next year", launched the Argentine coach, all smiles after the meeting on Canal +, while the PSG, still under construction, ends the year alone in the lead (46 pts).

Nice runner-up, Marseille tears away, Rennes cooled

In the race for the podium, the great operation is for Nice, which erased three consecutive defeats at home by defeating Lens (2-1).

Here are the Aiglons installed in second place in L1 (33 pts) for the holidays, an enviable position, especially given the stunning scenario at the Allianz-Riviera with two goals from Mario Lemina (63rd) and Justin Kluivert (79th) for answer Arnaud Kalimuendo (30th).

Justin Kluivert (right) congratulated by his teammate from Nice Morgan Schneiderlin after his home goal against Lens in L1 on December 22, 2021 CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU AFP

If Nice was able to overtake Marseille on the wire, it is because OM were satisfied with a draw at home by Reims (1-1), which led 1-0 for a long time thanks to Hugo Ekitike (75th) .

In an electric end of the match where the young Marseille striker Bamba Dieng was excluded for a nasty tackle, Dimitri Payet was the victim of a fault in the area and himself transformed the penalty (90th + 8), before d ' don a Santa hat to celebrate.

It's a lesser evil for Marseille (3rd, 33 pts, one match less), especially as Rennes, beaten 2-1 in Monaco on goals from Wissam Ben Yedder (35th sp) and Kevin Volland (72nd), finds himself thrown from the podium.

Monaco captain Wissam Ben Yedder equalizes on penalty against Rennes in L1 on December 22, 2021 in Monaco Valery HACHE AFP

It is also the business of Montpellier, which chained against Angers (4-1) a fourth victory in the league thanks to the essential Téji Savanier, scorer (14th) then passer (30th) on his 30th birthday.

Lyon stalls again, David propels Lille

Lyon is still woozy: in a complicated period for OL, between the announced departure of sports director Juninho and repeated outbursts of its supporters, Peter Bosz's team could not do better than a 1-1 draw against Metz (18th, 16 pts).

The young Castello Lukeba (19) had nevertheless opened the scoring with a header (56th) but OL immediately fell back into their shortcomings on the equalization of Boubacar Traoré (59th).

Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar stumbles on the defense of Metz in L1 on December 22, 2021 in Décines-Charpieu JEFF PACHOUD AFP

Lyon was co-leader at the truce at the end of 2020?

He will spend the holidays in a disappointing 13th place in 2021 ...

On the other hand, Lille has recovered: at the end of a year 2021 rich in emotion, from the title of champion of France in May to the qualification for the 8th of the Champions League in December, the northern club overthrew Bordeaux ( 3-2), with a winning goal from Jonathan David, the championship's top scorer.

And the Canadian, flower in hand, celebrated his 12th goal of the season to allow Losc to move up to 8th place in L1 (28 pts).

- Failed start for Dupraz, Rami saves Troyes -

At the bottom of the table, the debut of Pascal Dupraz on the bench of Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 ended in a new setback against Nantes (0-1).

The maintenance operation started badly for Dupraz, while the Greens remained last (12 pts).

In parallel, Troyes snatched a draw against Brest (1-1) thanks to his veteran Adil Rami (81st).

As for the match between Clermont and Strasbourg, it was postponed due to thick fog which made visibility difficult at the Gabriel-Montpied stadium, and will have to be rescheduled.

© 2021 AFP