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PSG slump to first defeat of season, Bayern held by Leverkusen
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Kylian Mbappe of PSG collides with a goalpost during the Ligue 1 match between PSG and OGC Nice at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, France, September 15, 2023. /CFP
Kylian Mbappe of PSG collides with a goalpost during the Ligue 1 match between PSG and OGC Nice at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, France, September 15, 2023. /CFP

Kylian Mbappe of PSG collides with a goalpost during the Ligue 1 match between PSG and OGC Nice at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, France, September 15, 2023. /CFP

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) slipped to their first loss of the Ligue 1 season despite a Kylian Mbappe double as an impressive Nice secured a 3-2 victory at the Parc des Princes on Friday, with Terem Moffi scoring twice.

PSG fell behind less than midway through the first half as Moffi found the net following a poor mistake by Mbappe.

The France striker made amends on the half-hour mark, but Gaetan Laborde restored Nice's lead eight minutes after the break and Moffi put another past the ragged hosts.

Mbappe volleyed home to give the reigning French champions hope but Nice held on.

OGC Nice's Nigerian forward Terem Moffi (R) celebrates after scoring the first goal against PSG during their Ligue 1 match at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, France, September 15, 2023. /CFP
OGC Nice's Nigerian forward Terem Moffi (R) celebrates after scoring the first goal against PSG during their Ligue 1 match at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, France, September 15, 2023. /CFP

OGC Nice's Nigerian forward Terem Moffi (R) celebrates after scoring the first goal against PSG during their Ligue 1 match at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, France, September 15, 2023. /CFP

Luis Enrique's PSG, who would have usurped Monaco at the top with three points, instead slipped to third in the early table with eight points from five games, one point behind unbeaten Nice.

"Throughout the match they were fresher than us," said Luis Enrique after his first loss as PSG coach.

"Obviously a defeat hurts, we all have to improve, myself included. But I liked our state of mind.

"Of the three goals, two were deflected. Nice played great football, but I'm not worried and I saw the fans support their team even when they were two goals down."

Italian midfielder Marco Verratti poses for photographs in front of PSG supporters during a ceremony paying tribute to him following his club departure, before the match between PSG and OGC Nice at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, France, September 15, 2023. /CFP
Italian midfielder Marco Verratti poses for photographs in front of PSG supporters during a ceremony paying tribute to him following his club departure, before the match between PSG and OGC Nice at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, France, September 15, 2023. /CFP

Italian midfielder Marco Verratti poses for photographs in front of PSG supporters during a ceremony paying tribute to him following his club departure, before the match between PSG and OGC Nice at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, France, September 15, 2023. /CFP

Before kick-off, the Parc des Princes bade farewell to Marco Verratti after he ended his 11-year stay at PSG to move to Qatari club Al Arabi.

Messages from former teammates including Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva were played on the big screen, while Verratti was allowed a lap of honor around the pitch.

The Italian midfielder made 416 appearances for PSG, winning nine Ligue 1 titles and six French Cups, but failed to help the club to a maiden Champions League triumph.

Harry Kane of Bayern Munich controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, September 15, 2023. /CFP
Harry Kane of Bayern Munich controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, September 15, 2023. /CFP

Harry Kane of Bayern Munich controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, September 15, 2023. /CFP

Also on Friday, Harry Kane's fourth goal in four Bundesliga games was not enough as Bayern Munich were held to a 2-2 home draw by Bayer Leverkusen, with Exequiel Palacios netting a dramatic injury-time penalty.

Kane opened the scoring just seven minutes in, heading home from close range, but Leverkusen hit back shortly afterwards through Alex Grimaldo's superb free-kick.

Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka looked to have secured Bayern the three points when he scored with four minutes remaining, but a VAR review in injury time showed a foul by Alphonso Davies, bringing Palacios to the spot.

The Argentinian converted to ensure his side remained unbeaten this season.

Players battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, September 15, 2023. /CFP
Players battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, September 15, 2023. /CFP

Players battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, September 15, 2023. /CFP

A frustrated Bayern captain Thomas Mueller approached the referees to complain after the match over "two interesting decisions before the two goals we conceded."

"We're playing a contact sport," Mueller told DAZN, calling the late spot-kick "a very soft penalty."

"In England, the referee wouldn't blow the whistle."

Bayern coach Tuchel agreed, saying: "There was contact, but we can't forget that the referee didn't blow the whistle (on the pitch).

"In the 94th minute, in a top game, it's too little. It was super soft."

Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen remain ahead of reigning champions Bayern at the top of the table on goal difference, with both sides on 10 points from four matches.

"A lot happened and for us a draw is good. We want to keep going," Alonso said.

(With input from AFP)

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