Paris Saint-Germain clinched their fifth consecutive Ligue 1 title by defeating Lens 2-0 in a highly anticipated match at Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
All PSG needed was a draw to secure their fifth straight Ligue 1 title, and with this victory, they now hold a nine-point lead over Lens with one match remaining.
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Georgia winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring in the 29th minute, followed by a second goal from Ibrahim Mbaye during stoppage time to secure the title for PSG.
“This was undoubtedly challenging; Lens had an outstanding season,” said PSG manager Luis Enrique. “They truly deserved more tonight, but [goalkeeper Matvei Safonov] was phenomenal.”
Under Enrique’s leadership, PSG have now claimed a record-extending 14th domestic title, marking his third win since joining the club in 2023. PSG is aiming for a treble this season, having already secured both the league title and the French Super Cup.
This match was rescheduled by the French league from April 11 to support PSG’s Champions League aspirations. They are set to face Premier League leaders Arsenal in the Champions League final on May 30 in Budapest.
Despite Lens’s objections, coach Pierre Sage had to accommodate the rescheduling and left key forwards Florian Thauvin and Allan Saint-Maximin on the bench until the hour mark.
PSG capitalized on a mistake from Lens, as forward Ousmane Dembélé intercepted a poor pass from defender Malang Sarr and set up Kvaratskhelia, who finished deftly.
Mbaye added the second goal in stoppage time, striking a powerful shot that hit the crossbar and went in, shortly after Lens missed another scoring opportunity.
Lens had chances to score, with striker Wesley Saïd missing a close-range header and shooting directly at goalkeeper Safonov during first-half stoppage time.
Safonov also denied a chance from Abdallah Sima early in the second half and later saw Sima hit the post following a brilliant pass from Thauvin in the 74th minute.
“I was fortunate today,” Safonov remarked. “If my opponents had placed their shots slightly differently, it could have ended differently.”
Saint-Maximin posed a threat after coming on but squandered several good chances by overthinking his positions.
The last team to prevent PSG from winning the title was Lille in 2021. However, this season proved more competitive than the last when PSG won the title without losing, securing it with six games remaining.
Reported by the Associated Press.