Kylian Mbappe scored two brilliant goals as Paris Saint-Germain won 2-1 at Auxerre on Sunday night.
The France captain found the net in the sixth minute and then again 132 seconds later.
Mbappe’s first goal of the day saw him beat Gauthier Hein, not once but twice, with some slick footwork before finishing powerfully into the top corner from 10 yards.
His second was the result of stunning first-time strike from outside of the penalty area. Defending champion PSG remains six points ahead of second-place Lens with two matches left and has a far superior goal difference, but mathematically needs one point next weekend at Strasbourg to move past Saint-Étienne on 10 titles.
Mbappé put PSG 2-0 ahead inside eight minutes with World Cup winner Lionel Messi involved in the buildup for both goals. Mbappé’s brace moved him two clear of Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, who has 26 goals, in the race to finish top scorer.
Despite the comfortable lead, PSG’s defense looked vulnerable, as it has for several seasons.
Late in the first half, Rayan Raveloson hit the crossbar with a half-volley for Auxerre and PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma then had to make a sharp save.
The warning signs went unheeded as striker Lassine Sinayoko got behind the defense and beat Donnarumma in the 51st. Donnarumma saved PSG again when he pushed away Gauthier Hein’s shot in the 75th.
Mbappé had a hat-trick goal ruled out for offside in stoppage time.
Earlier, Seko Fofana scored again as Lens rallied to win 3-1 at Lorient and maintained its very slim hopes of catching PSG.
The standout midfielder sliced the ball home from close range in the 87th minute.
Lorient midfielder Romain Faivre put his side ahead early on but Lens scored twice in quick succession midway through the first half with goals from forward Florian Sotoca and midfielder Adrien Thomasson.
Lens is close to ensuring second place and automatic entry into the Champions League. The northern side leads third-place Marseille by five points with two matches left.
TALKING POINT – ONE HAND ON THE TITLE
Christophe Galtier’s side all but clinched the Ligue 1 title. This win against Auxerre puts them on 84 points, six ahead of Lens with two games to go. PSG will go into the match against Strasbourg knowing that a point will be enough to see them win their 11th Ligue 1 title. They had to work hard for it as they often have had to this season but Galtier’s men are nearly there.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – KYLIAN MBAPPE (PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN)
Kylian Mbappe’s quick double inside eight minutes gave Paris Saint-Germain a comfortable lead and Auxerre a mountain to climb. He took both goals exceptionally well and were worthy of winning any match. On a personal note, his brace means that he has gone clear at the top of the Ligue 1 top scorers’ list ahead of Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette. The 24-year-old was denied a hat-trick in stoppage time due to being a fraction offside but he will be content with his two goals and PSG’s three points.
“My players have their hands on the trophy. Now we need to finish on a high in the next two matches and lift the trophy at home on the last day,” PSG coach Christophe Galtier told broadcaster Amazon Prime.
Galtier and PSG have come in for criticism during a challenging second half of the season, in which they have lost six times in Ligue 1 and were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich in the last 16.
“When we look back and analyse the season, we had a very difficult period after the World Cup with injuries to key players,” Galtier added.
“Our squad was severely weakened in big games and that led to us playing badly, but believe me, it is still a performance to win the league.”
They are five points ahead of third-placed Marseille with two games to go. Third place enters the Champions League in the third qualifying round.
“There is no such thing as ‘almost’ in the Champions League in the mind of a coach,” said prudent Lens manager Franck Haise.
“You are either qualified or you’re not, and for the moment we are not.”
Rennes kept alive their hopes of qualifying for Europe as Amine Gouiri scored a hat-trick in their 5-0 win at already-relegated Ajaccio.
Rennes remain sixth with two games left, and with only the top five qualifying for Europe.
However, they are just a point adrift of Lille and three behind fourth-placed Monaco, who they face next.
Folarin Balogun, who this week switched international allegiance from England to the United States, scored his 20th Ligue 1 goal this season for Reims as they drew 2-2 with Angers.
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