Donnarumma suffers gruesome facial injury after collision with Monaco defender
PSG's win was overshadowed by a horrific facial injury to goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who required 10 staples to close lacerations on his face following a collision with Monaco defender Wilfried Singo.
Paris Saint-Germain extended their unbeaten Ligue 1 run with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Monaco at the Stade Louis II on 18 December.
However, the win was overshadowed by a horrific facial injury to goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who required 10 staples to close lacerations on his face following a collision with Monaco defender Wilfried Singo.
The Italian shot-stopper was left bloodied after being caught by Singo's studs during the first half. Despite protests from PSG captain Marquinhos, who questioned the lack of intervention by VAR, the incident went unpunished.
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"You have to protect the players," said Marquinhos. "To not give a red card in a situation like that is a big call."
Donnarumma was replaced by Matvey Safonov, and the game took another twist when Desire Doue gave PSG the lead with his first league goal.
The goal followed a stroke of luck as Achraf Hakimi's intended cross bounced off the post, only to fall perfectly for Doue.
Monaco responded strongly in the second half. Eliesse Ben Seghir equalised from the penalty spot after a handball by Marquinhos, and seven minutes later, Breel Embolo turned in a cross from Maghnes Akliouche to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.
However, PSG quickly regained control. Ousmane Dembele's well-placed strike brought the visitors level, and substitute Goncalo Ramos headed home from a corner to restore their advantage.
Lee Kang-in nearly extended PSG's lead with a long-range shot that Monaco goalkeeper Philipp Koehn pushed onto the post.
Tempers flared when Monaco's penalty appeal for a challenge on Embolo was dismissed, leading to the dismissal of their coach Adi Huetter.
Dembele sealed the win deep into stoppage time, scoring his second goal of the match and marking a return to form amidst rumours of discord with PSG coach Luis Enrique.
The victory extends PSG's lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 10 points over Monaco and Marseille.
Remarkably, Monaco remain the last team to defeat PSG away from the Parc des Princes, a feat they accomplished in March 2023.
