LILLE: Kylian Mbappe’s brother Ethan haunted his former club Paris St-Germain as he came off the bench to grab a late equaliser for Lille in Ligue 1 on Sunday, while Olympique Lyonnais went down to a surprise 2-1 defeat at home to Toulouse.

The 1-1 draw at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy was, however, enough for injury-plagued PSG to go one point clear at the top of the French league of a trio of challengers — Olympqiue de Marseille, Strasbourg and Lyon.

A much-changed PSG side made the trip north and substitute Nuno Mendes’s sublime second-half free-kick looked to have secured all three points for the reigning champions until 18-year-old Mbappe had the last laugh.

“We prioritised the players’ health... It’s been a difficult week. After the match in Barcelona [in the Champions League], we’re feeling the fatigue,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique of his starting XI.

A first half short on goalscoring opportunities culminated in Bradley Barcola passing up a gilt-edged chance to break the deadlock for PSG as he raced through on goal from distance but fluffed his finish.

The hosts started the second period the brighter with 39-year-old Olivier Giroud launching himself at an ambitious overhead kick before Nabil Bentaleb fired into Lucas Chevalier’s gloves.

Lee Kang-in and Barcola riposted for PSG as the encounter started to become less cagey.

Enrique made a slew of changes on the hour and was rewarded six minutes later as usual first-choice left-back Mendes whipped a fantastic free-kick into the top corner from 30 yards.

Mbappe then entered the field of play under the watchful eye of his older brother Kylian, now of Real Madrid and who was up in the stands, with eight minutes remaining.

Achraf Hakimi, also off the bench, could have put the match beyond Lille in the 83rd minute but fired wide when well-positioned.

But the headlines went to Ethan, who two minutes later cut inside on his left foot and fired a shot through the legs of Lucas Beraldo, which flashed beyond the unsighted Chevalier.

Kylian Mbappe did not hide his joy when his brother levelled the score. The teenager marked his second goal of the season by mimicking his brother’s trademark celebration — arms crossed over his chest, hands tucked under his armpits.

“Ethan has character, good self-confidence, and also qualities for the highest level,” said Lille boss Bruno Genesio.

Lille trail PSG by five points in seventh spot.

Earlier on Sunday, Brazilian striker Emersonn scored two late goals as Toulouse came from behind to win at Lyon.

Lyon led until the 87th minute but slumped to a second defeat this season after Emersonn first levelled the scoring with a powerful shot that took a deflection, then snatched the winner in added time with a header.

Lyon had dominated proceedings in the first half and had deservedly taken the lead in the 24th minute after a superb collective move started from the back and finished by Belgian forward Malick Fofana.

The winner came in the sixth minute of injury time as Emersonn rose highest to glance home a corner.

Fourth-placed Lyon have 15 points from seven games. Toulouse moved up to ninth place, five points behind.

Meanwhile, Cote d’Azur rivals AS Monaco and Nice played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the principality.

Sofiane Diop gave the 12th-placed visitors the lead on 29 minutes, before Nice went down to 10 men five minutes later as Ali Abdi saw red for two bookable offences.

Diop nonetheless doubled Nice’s lead in the 42nd minute from the penalty spot but the fifth-placed hosts fought back through two Ansu Fati spot-kicks to finish honours even.

Elsewhere, Strasbourg thumped 17th-placed Angers 5-0 to go third while Rennes were held to a 2-2 draw at Le Havre, despite being two goals ahead inside the opening half-hour.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2025