And fourteen for Paris Saint-Germain! Authoritarian when necessary, Luis Enrique’s men painfully won on the pitch of RC Lens (0-2), marking the end of a frantic race for the title of champion of France. The Parisians have won a fifth consecutive French championship title, the third in three seasons for the Spanish tactician.
The first act could have suggested a one-sided encounter, dominated by Paris and her fiery quartet. But a duel between the two best attacks in the championship inevitably promises spectacle on each side, no matter if Ligue 1 already seemed to be decided.
In fact, at the end of a very competitive start to the match – to the advantage of Lensois – the Parisians took advantage of a big error from Malang Sarr to open the scoring. Ousmane Dembélé, as usual, comes to press the French central defender, recovers the ball, and only has to serve Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. And the Georgian fixed Robin Risser (29th) for his seventh goal in his last seven starts, in all competitions.
Imperial Safonov, the PSG of disconcerting realism
The Sang et Or did not lose hope – quite the contrary -, increasing their attacks towards the Parisian penalty area. But a man came to spoil the pleasure of the Bollaert-Delelis public: Matvey Safonov. The impassable Russian goalkeeper successively disgusted Odsonne Édouard (18th), Adrien Thomasson (20th), Wesley Saïd (20th, 36th, 45+2nd) Abdallah Sima (54th) and Mamadou Sangaré (80th), making eight saves in total.
The post shook in the 74th minute, following a new initiative led by the Senegalese striker, well served by the incoming Florian Thauvin. Lens put it on target ten times, but the cruel realism of Paris (ten shots, three on target) won out. This same old refrain, so effective and characteristic in the crucial moments that are the end of the season. Symbol of this, Ibrahim Mbaye’s top corner at the very end of the match (90+5th) to confirm the success.
