PSG held 1-1 by Nice, Guingamp 0-0 with Caen in relegation battle

Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-05 05:36:20|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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PARIS, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Paris Saint-Germain squandered a late penalty to finish a 1-1 draw with Nice at the Parc des Princes, while Guingamp and Caen registered a goalless draw in a relegation six-pointer in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Nice broke the deadlock shortly after the restart through striker Ignatius Ganago's powerful strike, before Neymar found an equalizer through a spot kick. After being awarded another penalty, however, Edinson Cavani saw his shot saved by Nice goalkeeper Walter Benitez in stoppage time.

Neymar had a close-range volley blocked as early as eight minutes, and Benitez's counterpart Alphonse Areola made a fine save on Youcef Atal's effort in the 25th minute.

Ganago collected a long pass from his teammate and fired it into the top corner of the net one minute after the break.

Atal dummied a PSG defender to cross from the right wing, but Allan Saint-Maximin hit the crossbar.

After avoiding 2-0 down, PSG leveled the score moments later. Angel Di Maria was fouled inside the box, and Neymar stepped up to convert the ensuing penalty on the hour mark for his 14th league goal of the campaign.

PSG could have expected to seal the win after Nice defender Dante was ruled a foul on Neymar in the area following VAR review by the match referee, but Cavani, who made his first start in almost three months after injury, saw his attempt denied by Benitez.

Having just nailed one win in past seven matches, PSG sit 17 points clear of second-placed Lille, who will visit Lyon on Sunday in the duo's battle for next season's Champions League group stage berth. Lille currently lead by six points over Lyon.

Guingamp and Caen failed to create many concrete chances in offense throughout the match. The match ended with a more favorable result for Caen, who stay in the relegation play-off place.

Guingamp are rooted to the bottom of table, five points adrift Caen with three rounds to go.

Also on Saturday, Bordeaux conceded a 1-0 home defeat to Angers, and Nimes crushed Reims 3-0 to move up to eighth.

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