Strasbourg 1-1 PSG: Lionel Messi sets European scoring record as PSG wrap up Ligue 1 title

Paris Saint-Germain have been crowned Ligue 1 champions for a record 11th time after a 1-1 draw with Strasbourg.

The Parisians knew a point would be enough to secure top spot for the second successive season, so despite Lionel Messi’s strike being cancelled out late on by Kevin Gameiro, they duly picked up another title.

The hosts, who had won three of their last four home games, were hard to break down at the back and dangerous on the counter-attack, with Habib Diarra and Morgan Sanson both creating chances.

Renato Sanches meanwhile had a volley well saved by Matz Sels at the other end, but Strasbourg were creating the bulk of the openings, including Habib Diallo hitting the post from distance.

Opportunities remained few and far between after the break, until Messi opened the scoring on 59 minutes when he converted from Kylian Mbappe’s pass – with the goal breaking him out of a tie with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most goals in Europe’s top five leagues.

It took Strasbourg a little time to respond, but they equalised when substitute Gameiro bundled over the line against his former club with little over 10 minutes remaining.

A point was all that the hosts needed to confirm their place in the top flight for next season, and they duly held on for the draw, much to the delight of a sell-out crowd at Stade de la Meinau.

TALKING POINT – PSG dominance continues

PSG were left burned in 2020/21, when Lille ended their three-year reign as champions by picking up a shock Ligue 1 title victory.

Since then, the Parisians have bounced back sensationally, and have not only defended their crown from last season, but have actually been top of the pile since August 2021, meaning they will become the first French club to lead the way since week one.

That’s not enough to lift the pressure on manager Christophe Galtier, though, with many believing PSG have underperformed this year, and the likes of Zinadine Zidane and Luis Enrique being linked with the job.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Matz Sels (Strasbourg)

This was far from the busiest game of the goalkeeper’s career, but he put in a near-perfect display to keep Kylian Mbappe in particular at bay.

Twice Sels came rushing off his line to make crucial interceptions at the feet of the striker, including a magnificent slide-tackle in the second half.

He also made a wonderful stop from Renato Sanches to ensure his side picked up the point they needed to secure another season of Ligue 1 football.

PLAYER RATINGS

STRASBOURG: Sels 8; Dagba 6, Nyamsi 6, Perrin 7; Sissoko 6, Guilbert 7, Doukoure 7, Sanson 6; Diarra 7, Diallo 7, Bellegarde 7. Subs: Lienard 6, Gameiro 7

PSG: Donnarumma 6; Zaire-Emery 7, Ramos 6, Danilo 6, Bitshaibu 6; Bernat 6, Verratti 7, Sanches 7; Vitinha 6, Mbappe 7, Messi 7. Subs: Soler n/a

KEY MOMENTS

23’ DIALLO COMES CLOSE. That’s the best chance of the game so far! Diallo brilliantly brings the ball down before turning Danilo. He then takes aim for goal from the edge of the area, only for Donnarumma to make a finger-tip save, diverting over the bar

30’ SUPERB SAVE BY SELS. Sanches is left unmarked on the penalty spot from the resulting corner and he strikes a terrific volley goalwards, only for Matz Sels to save

38’ OFF THE POST! Another brilliant break on the counter from Strasbourg, with Diarra heading down to Diallo, who clatters a 25-yard shot against the woodwork. That was a terrific strike

59’ GOAL! STRASBOURG 0-1 PSG (Lionel Messi). Out of nowhere, PSG are ahead! A long ball picks out Mbappe, and he plays in Messi, who makes a run from deep and then converts from inside the area.

79’ GOAL! STRASBOURG 1-1 PSG (Kevin Gameiro). Strasbourg have equalised! They’ve created nothing over the last ten or so minutes, but are level through Gameiro, who bundles over the line after Donnarumma had made a terrific save from Sanson

KEY STATS

• Strasbourg move on to 40 points in Ligue 1 – they only had 18 when Frederic Antonetti took charge in mid-February
• PSG are now unbeaten in their last 12 head-to-heads with Strasbourg