Vitinha Strike Secures PSG Narrow Victory Amid Low-Scoring Ligue 1 Start

Key Takeaways:

• PSG edged Nantes 1-0 on the road in their Ligue 1 opener last night
• Vitinha scored the winning goal in the 67th minute after sustained second-half pressure
• Seven of eight opening round winners recorded 1-0 scorelines, with Monaco the only team to win by more than one goal

First Half Struggles for PSG’s Attack

Paris Saint-Germain kicked off their Ligue 1 title defence with a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Nantes last night. The Parisian giants controlled possession early, but Nantes stood firm and denied them space in dangerous areas. The visitors had to wait until the 12th minute to earn a corner, but it failed to yield a clear-cut chance.

PSG primarily looked to threaten through aerial balls into the box during the first half, struggling to unlock the home defence. A breakthrough seemed possible in the 23rd minute when Gonçalo Ramos met a cross in front of goal, but he was well-blocked by a Nantes defender. High-pressing by PSG exposed gaps in their own half, allowing Nantes to counterattack. Around the 30-minute mark, Mostafa Mohamed capped one such break with a shot following a swift transition, forcing a corner for the hosts.

PSG get a win against Nantes in their Ligue 1 season opener 🤩😎 pic.twitter.com/styIl47rpW

— OneFootball (@OneFootball) August 17, 2025

Six minutes before the interval, Bahereba Guirassy attempted a tricky pass but Lucas Chevalier deflected the ball out for another corner. PSG responded with urgency, and Bradley Barcola unleashed a fierce long-range drive, forcing a strong save from Anthony Lopes. Just before half-time, Lucas Hernandez also tested Lopes, who remained difficult to beat throughout the opening period.

Vitinha Goal Breaks Deadlock

Returning from the break, PSG looked increasingly threatening. Ibrahim Mbaye featured prominently in the midfield build-up, frequently finding Fabian Ruiz, Kang-in Lee, and Vitinha in advanced pockets of space. Despite their combinations, Anthony Lopes remained resolute in the Nantes goal, rapidly cutting off spaces and preventing clean attempts on target.

The breakthrough arrived in the 67th minute. Following a short corner, the ball bounced back to Vitinha on the edge of the area. His shot took a crucial deflection off a defender, wrong-footing Lopes and finding the net to give the visitors a much-needed lead.

PSG thought they had doubled their advantage ten minutes later when Ramos capitalised on a defensive miscue and smashed the ball into the goal. However, the celebrations were short-lived as VAR intervened and ruled the goal out for offside.

Nantes Fall Short in Pursuit of Equaliser

Nantes intensified their efforts in the closing stages, hoping to rescue a point. Despite energy and endeavour, their attacking play lacked precision and composure in the final third. PSG had opportunities to extend their lead on the counter, but both Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé were unable to convert when chances presented themselves.

In stoppage time, Nantes midfielder Johann Lepenant missed a big chance as his attempt went wide from PSG’s goal, marking the final opportunity of the match.

Low-Scoring Start to Ligue 1 Campaign

PSG’s narrow win reflected a broader trend across the opening round of Ligue 1 fixtures, where seven of the eight winning sides recorded 1-0 scorelines. AS Monaco stood out as the only team to win by a greater margin, defeating Le Havre 3-1.

Upcoming Fixtures

Prior to the international break, PSG are set for relatively straightforward ties against Angers and Toulouse—encounters that offer the reigning champions opportunities to build momentum and collect further points.

Nantes, by contrast, face a demanding trip to Strasbourg, who are participating in European competition this season, followed by a home clash with Auxerre—a side not to be taken lightly.

Match Summary