PSG bounce back in Ligue 1 after Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain regained their dominance in Ligue 1 with a 5-0 home win over Metz and maintained a 14-point lead on the table.

However, that could not compensate for the frustrating exit from UEFA Champions League last 16 for the second straight season after losing 2-1 at home and 5-2 on aggregate to holders Real Madrid on Tuesday, reports Xinhua news agency.

Although top scorer Edinson Cavani was suspended, PSG on Saturday enjoyed a lop-sided first half with almost 70 per cent ball possession and a four-goal advantage before the interval.

After Belgian right back Thomas Meunier opened the scoring just five minutes into the match, the French top-flight leaders were out of reach on promising forward Christopher Nkunku's two brilliant finishes.

Nkunku, 20, could expect a hat-trick in the first half, but his header from Angel Di Maria's cross was ruled offside.

Kylian Mbappe earned PSG a 4-0 lead into the halftime on an assist from Marco Verratti, who already fed Nkunku for the team's second goal.

Japanese goalkeeper Kawashima Eiji made several fine saves to avoid the visitors from being further behind for most part of the second half, but he could not stop PSG captain Thiago Silva's header on a corner with eight minutes remaining.

Argentine striker Emiliano Sala scored a crucial header in the 86th minute, his 12th goal of the campaign, lifting Nantes past struggling Troyes 1-0 at home. Nantes moved to fifth, one point ahead of Rennes, who tied Saint-Etienne 1-1.

--IANS

sam/pgh/