Messi scores and assists in PSG win; Angers finally taste victory

PARIS: One week after being jeered by his own fans, Lionel Messi scored one goal and set up the other as Paris Saint-Germain won at a wasteful Nice 2-0 to maintain their six-point lead of the French league on Saturday.

Messi was booed by some PSG fans in last weekend’s home defeat to Lyon, leading to increased speculation he could leave this summer.

Argentina’s World Cup-winning star clipped in a cross from left back Nuno Mendes in the 26th minute. Then Messi’s corner from the left was headed home by veteran defender Sergio Ramos in the 76th.

Nice were unbeaten in 14 matches overall before this game and went close to equalizing in the first half, but PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma kept out efforts from Nicolas Pepe and striker Terem Moffi.

Veteran defender Dante’s shot came off the underside of the crossbar and appeared to cross the line in the 51st. But referee Jeremie Pignard was not alerted by goal-line technology that it crossed, even though video replays showed a goal should likely have been awarded.

Donnarumma kept out more shots from Pepe and Youssouf Ndayishimiye as Nice kept up the pressure on PSG, who have lost eight matches in 2023.

Nice hit the crossbar late on in a match of wasted chances.

Under-pressure PSG coach Christophe Galtier returned to the club he coached last season. But Nice’s ultras greeted Galtier with an insulting chant and unfurled a derogatory banner about him.

After the final whistle, Galtier walked over and sarcastically gave a thumbs up to the section of fans who insulted him, sparking an angry reaction. PSG sporting director Luis Campos intervened to encourage an upset-looking Galtier to leave the field quickly.

PSG stayed six points ahead of second-placed Lens ahead of