PSG are all but Ligue 1 champions after an emphatic 3-1 victory away at Lorient thanks to stellar performances from attacking duo Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe, who tore the home team apart with some scintillating attacking play, scoring a brace each. The result moved PSG 11 points clear of Monaco, who overcame Lille later on Wednesday to delay the inevitable. Braces from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele saw Paris Saint-Germain ease past Lorient with a 4-1 away win to move a step closer to claiming their record-extending 12th Ligue 1 title.
Lorient spurned a golden chance through Aymen Kari in the opening stages and were made to pay when Dembele’s composed finish put the visitors ahead after 19 minutes.
Mbappe’s superb flicked finish saw Luis Enrique’s side double their lead just three minutes later, while Gianluigi Donnarumma had to be alert at the other end to deny Tiemoue Bakayoko’s header from a corner later in the first half. PSG added a third as Mbappe turned provider after the break, jinking past Nathaniel Adjei with a cute bit of skill before setting up Dembele to slam home his second.
Mohammed Bamba’s powerful header aroused faint hopes of a dramatic Lorient comeback but the visitors saw the game out resolutely, with Mbappe finding his second in the 90th minute with a fine curling effort past Yvon Mvogo.
PSG will have to wait to get their hands on the title after Monaco overcame Lille 1-0 later on Wednesday. In a season full of impressive displays, Kylian Mbappe produced perhaps one of his best yet to marshal PSG towards the brink of yet another Ligue 1 title. The Frenchman was at his devastating best, notching up two goals and one assist and underlining, once again, just how much Luis Enrique’s side will miss him when he leaves at the end of the season.
It’s only a matter of time until PSG are confirmed as champions but Mbappe and PSG will eye yet more silverware as they prepare for their crunch UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg in the coming weeks.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – MBAPPE (PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN)
The Frenchman gave Adjei a torrid time down the left flank, completing four of his six dribbles and making four key passes, including the assist for Dembele’s second. His two goals mean it’s now 26 in the league this season.
PLAYER RATINGS
Lorient: Mvogo 6, Toure 6 Laporte 6, Adjei 5, Yongwa 6, Louza 7, Bakayoko 6, Kalulu 7, Ponceau 5, Kari 6, Kroupi 6. Subs: Mendy 7, Bouanani 6, Abergel 6, Bamba 7, Katseris 6.
Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma 8, Mendes 7, Skriniar 6, Hernandez 7, Zague 7, Ruiz 7, Mayulu 7, Kang-In 6, Kylian Mbappe 9, Ramos 6, Dembele 8. Subs: Soler 6, Ugarte 6, Kolo Muani 6, Mukiele 6, Ethan Mbappe 6.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
12′ LORIENT SHOULD BE AHEAD: A gilt-edged chance for the hosts but Kari pulls it wide. Louza spins behind Skriniar well and picks up the ball on the byline. His cutback picks out the striker but Kari can only drag the effort wide of the post.
19′ GOAL! LORIENT 0-1 PSG (DEMBELE): Out of nowhere, the visitors are ahead. Mayulu wins the turnover in the middle of the park and picks out Dembele on the right and the winger does the rest. A jinking run, cutting inside off the flank before a clinical finish past Mvogo. Just his second league goal of the season.
22′ GOAL! LORIENT 0-2 PSG (KYLIAN MBAPPE): Two goals in three minutes as PSG double their lead. And what a finish it is from the star man Kylian Mbappe, flicking Mendes’ cross past Mvogo superbly to bring up his 25th goal of the season. Lorient made a bright start to this game but they’ve got a mountain to climb now.
31′ GREAT SAVE! Bakayoko heads it down towards the far post from the corner but it’s a remarkable stop from Donnarumma, clawing the ball back from behind him and preventing a vital goal for Lorient in the process.
60′ GOAL! LORIENT 0-3 PSG (DEMBELE): Dembele gets the goal but that is all about Kylian Mbappe who produces a superb assist. The footwork to escape from Adjei down the left byline is simply magical and it leaves Dembele with a mere tap-in as he squares the ball across the box. His second, PSG’s third and that could be that.
73′ GOAL! LORIENT 1-3 PSG (BAMBA): There will be no clean sheet for PSG as Lorient pull one back. Mendy is given too much time out on the left and whips in an enticing delivery into the box. Bamba meets it well and thunders his header past Donnarumma to give the hosts a slither of hope in these closing stages.
90′ GOAL! LORIENT 1-4 PSG (KYLIAN MBAPPE): PSG have their fourth and it’s that man again. Kolo Muani feeds Mbappe down the left side and it’s a trademark finish from the forward, cutting inside onto his right foot before curling the ball past Mvogo and into the far corner. An assist and two goals for PSG’s talisman and that will put the result beyond doubt.