Paris Saint-Germain’s ambition to finish a Ligue 1 season unbeaten was dashed as Nice secured a 3-1 victory at Parc des Princes. Despite having already clinched the Ligue 1 title and facing Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final first leg soon, PSG fielded a strong team to preserve their undefeated streak.
The home side controlled the initial half-hour, creating numerous opportunities.
However, Morgan Sanson put Nice ahead in the 35th minute with a precise finish from Badredine Bouanani’s pass. PSG quickly equalised six minutes later when Fabian Ruiz scored with a stunning half-volley. Yet, PSG’s sluggish start to the second half proved costly as Sanson scored again just 22 seconds after the break, restoring Nice’s lead.
Nice extended their advantage to 3-1 when Youssouf Ndayishimiye headed in Bouanani’s free-kick in the 70th minute. Despite dominating possession with 75% and creating several chances, PSG were thwarted by their own poor finishing and Marcin Bulka’s exceptional goalkeeping. Bulka made crucial saves, including denying Goncalo Ramos and Vitinha late in the game.
As PSG pushed forward relentlessly, Nice defended resolutely to secure a vital win that boosted their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. This victory moved them up to fourth place on 54 points, level with third-placed Monaco on goal difference and just one point behind Marseille in second.
Lille, Lyon, and Strasbourg remain within three points of Franck Haise’s team, each holding a game in hand. PSG entered this match needing four more wins to become Ligue 1 ‘Invincibles’ and were two games away from matching Nantes’ record for an unbeaten start to a season (32 games in 1994-95). However, they suffered their first league defeat since May 12, 2024.
This loss marked only PSG’s third under Luis Enrique, all occurring at home. Their defensive struggles are evident as they are set to record their lowest number of clean sheets in a Ligue 1 season since Qatar Sports Investments took over (2011-12), with only seven so far this season and three matches remaining.
Record-Breaking Performance by Bulka
Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could not find a way past Bulka. His remarkable performance included making 12 saves-a single-game record for a Nice goalkeeper in Ligue 1 since data collection began in 2006-07. This result highlighted PSG’s vulnerabilities at both ends of the pitch.
The defeat underscored PSG’s challenges as they aim for success on multiple fronts while maintaining consistency domestically. As they prepare for upcoming fixtures, addressing these issues will be crucial for achieving their goals this season.