The Japan Times - PSG lose unbeaten Ligue 1 record ahead of Arsenal showdown

PSG had been hoping to become the first team ever to complete a French top-flight season without losing a game, but Morgan Sanson scored twice for Nice as the visitors claimed all three points against the run of play.

Fabian Ruiz had brought PSG level late in the first half, cancelling out Sanson's opener. However, Sanson scored again just 22 seconds into the second half, and Youssouf Ndayishimiye later headed in to make it 3-1.

PSG had been unbeaten in 30 Ligue 1 matches this season, and had not lost any of their last 41 games against French opposition since a 3-1 home loss against Toulouse on May 12 last year.

The result means PSG, who had already secured a fourth consecutive Ligue 1 title at the start of this month, fall short of equalling the record for the longest unbeaten run from the beginning of a French season.

That record is still held by Nantes, who went undefeated for 32 matches before suffering their sole defeat on the way to winning the title in 1994/95.

PSG must now quickly put this defeat behind them as they head to London for the first leg of their Champions League last-four tie against Arsenal on Tuesday, before the return at the Parc des Princes on May 7.

Nice, who were helped by some outstanding goalkeeping by Marcin Bulka, also beat PSG in Paris last season and held Luis Enrique's side to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at the beginning of this campaign.

The victory is a huge boost to their chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League, as they climb up to fourth place and are behind Monaco in third only on goal difference. Marseille in second are only one point better off.

The top three teams in Ligue 1 qualify directly for the league phase of next season's Champions League, with fourth entering in the preliminary rounds.

S.Yamamoto--JT