Kylian Mbappe‘s brace in a 2-1 win against relegation-threatened AJ Auxerre on Sunday saw Paris Saint-Germain all but mathematically secure the Ligue 1 title.
Superstar forward Mbappe scored twice in three minutes to put the visitors two up inside the first 10 minutes.
But struggling Auxerre, just one point above the relegation zone, battled well and fought their way back into the game via Lassine Sinayoko’s goal not long after half-time.
Christoph Galtier’s side held off late pressure from the hosts and Mbappe thought he had a hat-trick when he finished coolly late on, but it was disallowed by VAR for an offside.
The result leaves PSG six points clear of second-placed RC Lens with two games remaining, and given their vastly superior goal difference (+50 compared to +34), it is highly likely they will retain their domestic championship title.
A brace from Kylian Mbappe (left) saw Paris Saint-Germain beat AJ Auxerre 2-1 on Sunday
Superstar forward Mbappe broke the deadlock after six minutes with a right-footed effort
Before the Frenchman doubled the lead for the visitors with his second within three minutes.
The French giants took a decisive step at the Stade de l’Abbe-Deschamps but will formally wrap up the championship if they avoid defeat at Racing Strasbourg next Saturday.
Auxerre, who currently lie in 16th place on 34 points, travel to Toulouse in the penultimate round of matches.
‘We relaxed a little after the two goals but in the end we have one hand on the trophy,’ said PSG captain Marquinhos, who like most of the team was far from impressive.
‘We’ve done a lot this season but we knew that if we had dropped points things could have become complicated. We’re not going to celebrate the title tonight, but we will celebrate the win.’
Mbappe broke the deadlock after six minutes with a right-footed effort into the top corner and doubled their tally two minutes later with a 20-yard effort after being set up by Lionel Messi.
Mbappe now tops the Ligue 1 scoring charts having netted 28 times this campaign, two more than Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette.
Auxerre were no pushovers, however, and Rayan Raveloson’s half-volley crashed against the bar, while Gianluigi Donnarumma made a brilliant save on the stroke of half-time to deny former Nottingham Forest forward Nuno da Costa.
The hosts reduced the arrears six minutes into the second half, Sinayoko beating Donnarumma with a low angled shot for his first ever Ligue 1 goal.
PSG were overwhelmed in midfield and had Donnarumma to thank for not conceding an equaliser which would have been largely deserved.
It would also have given some faint hope in the title race to Lens, who earlier recovered from a shaky start to beat Lorient 3-1 and move five points clear of third-placed Marseille, closing in on automatic qualification for the Champions League group stage.
Florian Sotoca, Adrien Thomasson and Seko Fofana struck after Romain Faivre’s opener for Lorient.
Sixth-placed Stade Rennais demolished already-relegated AC Ajaccio, who travel to Lens next Saturday, 5-0, and they trail fourth-placed Monaco by three points and Lille in fifth by one.
Monaco lost 3-1 at Lyon on Friday. Stade Brestois are safe from relegation thanks to a 2-1 home victory against Clermont.
The result leaves PSG on the brink of the title but Auxerre one point above the relegation zone.
source: dailymail.co.uk
