Paris Saint-Germain reclaimed top spot in Ligue 1 as Nuno Mendes' 81st-minute goal proved decisive in a 2-1 win over Strasbourg.

Mendes headed home from Warren Zaire-Emery's cross, six minutes after Achraf Hakimi had seen red.

Hakimi was sent off following a VAR review for a challenge on Joaquin Panichelli, with referee Eric Wattellier upgrading the punishment from a yellow card.

Panichelli was in the thick of the action at Stade de la Meinau, where he saw a 20th-minute penalty saved by PSG's Matvey Safonov, after Marquinhos handled in the area.

PSG, who saw title rivals Lens win at Le Havre on Friday. raced up the other end and were ahead two minutes later when Senny Mayulu steered home from Bradley Barcola's tee up.

Yet Strasbourg hit back through Guela Doue before half-time.

Gary O'Neil's team, though, managed only four shots in the second half, failing to get any of those on target, and they were punished when Mendes made the difference late on.

An important victory against Strasbourg #RCSAPSG I @Ligue1_ENG pic.twitter.com/V5OUR1hpfa

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 1, 2026

Data Debrief: Hakimi ends PSG's red-less run

This was Hakimi's fourth Ligue 1 red card, but his first since May 2023.

However, this was the first dismissal for a PSG player in the competition since March 2024, meaning they went the entirety of last season, and much of this one, without any of their players seeing red.

In fact, it ended a run of 60 Ligue 1 matches without a red card for PSG. It was the longest run of its kind in the top flight since Auxerre in March 2010-December 2011 (65).

Mendes was on hand to save the day for Luis Enrique's team, though, capping an exceptional performance in the process. 

The full-back led the game for chances created (three), touches (128), passes (102), accurate passes (92) and passes in the final third (28).