Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 RC Lens: Kylian Mbappe makes more history as hosts secure crucial Ligue 1 victory

PSG took a huge step towards their 11th Ligue 1 title with a 3-1 win over second place Lens at Parc des Princes on Saturday night.

Lens were on top early on but were reduced to 10 men after 19 minutes when Salis Abdul Samed saw red for a studs-up challenge on Achraf Hakimi.

Kylian Mbappe became PSG’s all-time Ligue 1 top goalscorer when he rolled in the club’s first of the night to put the hosts ahead with an instinctive strike.

Vitinha scored from long-range to double PSG’s advantage, before Lionel Messi finished off a wonderful move to stretch PSG’s lead to three before the break.

Early in the second half, Lens got a goal back when Przemyslaw Frankowski converted from the spot after a handball in the box from Fabian Ruiz.

The win means PSG extend their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to nine points.

Lens started the match on top and had an early chance beaten away by Gianluigi Donnarumma, before referee Willy Delajod was quick to issue his first card of the game – a red one.

Samed was sent off in the 19th minute for a nasty foul on Hakimi, catching the Moroccan on the ankle with his studs.

From there, the momentum completely shifted towards the hosts who quickly capitalised on the man advantage to go 1-0 up.

Mbappe just helped on a pass from Vitinha,which he received in the box with his back to goal, swivelled excellently and guided the ball into the bottom far corner for his first goal in three games.

Lens almost replied instantly when Ikoma Openda found Frankowski in the box, but the winger steered his effort wide.

It would go down as a wasted chance, and a chance rued as PSG quickly doubled their advantage.

Vitinha, involved again, took on a long-range effort and neatly found the bottom right corner with a low shot from 30 yards out.

PSG were in cruise control at this point and Messi and Mbappe were at their scintillating best to help PSG stretch their lead to three goals, and earn Messi his 30th goal in all competitions this season.

Messi drove towards a congested Lens penalty area and found Mbappe, who quickly returned the ball to Messi with a sensational back-heel flick, before Messi coolly slotted beyond Brice Samba.

In the second half, Lens were awarded a penalty when the ball struck Fabian Ruiz’s arm from a corner, and Frankowski made up for his earlier miss, converting from the spot on the hour mark.

Lens battled with real character and were unfortunate not to get a result on the night, but PSG were too good with the man advantage and comfortably played out the win.

TALKING POINT – PSG HAVE ONE HAND ON THE LIGUE 1 TITLE

Lens were very unlikely title rivals for PSG this season, but they’ve kept up with them all season and before tonight, were the only realistic side that could upset the odds and beat the Parisians to the title.

But after this evening’s result, the Ligue 1 title is surely wrapped up and will likely go to PSG for the 11th time.

Still, Lens will want to make sure they secure Champions League football in what would be a phenomenal achievement for Franck Haise’s side.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – KYLIAN MBAPPE (PSG)

A goal that smashed another PSG record and probably one of the best assists of the season earns Mbappe Player of the Match. A performance that oozed quality.

He took his goal instinctively like all world class players do, turning on the spot before slotting the ball beyond Samba with such quality and class and without even giving it a second thought.

And his assist was probably even better, teeing up Messi with a quick one-two, taking out two Lens defenders with a slick back heel flick to set the Argentine on his way to a simple finish.

PLAYER RATINGS

PSG: Donnarumma 7, Pereira 7, Marquinhos 7, Ramos 7, Hakimi 7, Vitinha 8, Soler 7, Ruiz 7, Mendes 8, Messi 8, Mbappe 9

Subs: Bernat 6, Zaire-Emery 6

LENS: Samba 5, Medina 6, Danso 5, Gradit 5, Frankowski 7, Samed 5, Fofana 7, Machado 6, Thomasson 6, Fulgini 7, Openda 6

Subs: Haidara 6, Onana 7, Sotoca 7, Costa N/A

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

3’ – BRILLIANT REFLEX SAVE BY DONNARUMMA! Lens have PSG on the back foot almost instantly and fizz a ball into the penalty box towards Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal, which the goalkeeper does well to react to and punch clear.

19’ – LENS RED CARD! Salis Abdul Samed has been sent off for a nasty challenge on Hakimi and Lens are down to ten men after 19 minutes! What a HUGE moment that could be in this game and possibly in the Ligue 1 title race!

31’ – GOAL! PSG 1-0 LENS (MBAPPE): Mbappe just helps on Vitinha’s pass which he receives with his back to goal, swivels and guides the ball into the bottom far corner.

34’ – BIG CHANCE FOR LENS! Almost an instant reply! Openda finds Frankowski in the box but the winger steers the ball wide.

38’ – GOAL! PSG 2-0 LENS (VITINHA): Vitinha takes on another long-range effort and this time gets it spot on, as he guides a low shot into the far bottom corner from 30 yards out.

41’ – GOAL! PSG 3-0 LENS (MESSI): Messi drives towards a congested Lens penalty area and finds Mbappe, who quickly returns the ball to Messi with a sensational backheel flick, before Messi coolly slots the ball into the far corner.

58’ – LENS HAVE A PENALTY! It’s very, very silly from Fabian Ruiz who lifts his arm into the air as he meets a Lens corner – which the ball hits – and the referee points to the spot! The penalty is confirmed after a quick VAR check.

60’ – GOAL! PSG 3-1 LENS (FRANKOWSKI): Frankowski makes up for his earlier miss, and converts from the spot on the hour mark.

KEY STAT

• Kylian Mbappe is now PSG’s all-time leading scorer in Ligue 1 history with 139 goals.