AJ Auxerre 1-2 PSG: Kylian Mbappe at the double as Paris Saint-Germain edge closer to Ligue 1 title

Paris Saint-Germain survived a fightback from Auxerre to claim a 2-1 win to move to the brink of the Ligue 1 title.

Christophe Galtier’s side made a superb start to the match by taking the lead after just six minutes. Fabian Ruiz slipped in Kylian Mbappe who twisted inside and out before firing a brilliant effort past Ionut Radu.

Mbappe had his second just two minutes later, Lionel Messi’s pass found the forward who lashed his effort home to make it 2-0.

It looked as though it could have been a long night for Auxerre but Christophe Pelissier’s men responded really well to going 2-0 down early on and started to come forward in search of a goal.

The hosts came close to pulling a goal back in the 38th minute when Souleymane Isaak’s vicious effort crashed off the crossbar.

Auxerre pulled one back six minutes into the second half. Lassine Sinayoko latched onto a long ball over the top before firing past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Relegation-threatened Auxerre continued to push forward in search of an equaliser but Galtier’s side did enough to see the win over the line and move one step closer to the Ligue 1 title.

TALKING POINT – ONE HAND ON THE TITLE

Christophe Galtier’s side all but clinched the Ligue 1 title. This win against Auxerre puts them on 84 points, six ahead of Lens with two games to go. PSG will go into the match against Strasbourg knowing that a point will be enough to see them win their 11th Ligue 1 title. They had to work hard for it as they often have had to this season but Galtier’s men are nearly there.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – KYLIAN MBAPPE (PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN)

Kylian Mbappe’s quick double inside eight minutes gave Paris Saint-Germain a comfortable lead and Auxerre a mountain to climb. He took both goals exceptionally well and were worthy of winning any match. On a personal note, his brace means that he has gone clear at the top of the Ligue 1 top scorers’ list ahead of Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette. The 24-year-old was denied a hat-trick in stoppage time due to being a fraction offside but he will be content with his two goals and PSG’s three points.

PLAYER RATINGS

Auxerre: Radu 6, Zedadka 6, Raveloson 7, Jubal 7, Isaak 7, Mensah 6, Hein 7, Massengo 7, Toure 7, Sinayoko 7, Da Costa 7 Subs: Dembele 6, Perrin 6, Niang 6

Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma 7, Danilo 7, Ramos 7, Marquinhos 7, Zaire-Emery 6, Verratti 7, Ruiz 7, Bernat 7, Messi 7, Ekitike 6, Mbappe 9 Subs: Vitinha 6, Sanches 6

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

6′ GOAL – PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN – Kylian Mbappe with a fantastic goal to put his side ahead! He turned inside and out before lashing it into the top corner.

8′ GOAL – PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN – Mbappe has scored again! Messi lays off a great pass which finds Mbappe who lashes his effort home for his second of the night.

38′ AUXERRE STRIKE THE CROSSBAR! – What a goal that would have been! Souleymane Isaak thumps an effort from distance which beats Donnarumma but crashes off the crossbar!

42′ DONNARUMMA KEEPS DA COSTA OUT! – Da Costa bursts into the box on the left-hand side before fizzing an effort towards the near post which Donnarumma tips around the post for a corner.

51′ GOAL – AUXERRE – The hosts have pulled one back and it’s game on! Lassine Sinayoko latches onto a ball over the top before rifling his effort past Donnarumma. The Italian ‘keeper has had a great game so far but he hasn’t covered himself in glory with that one.

75′ A BIG SAVE TO DENY HEIN – Gauthier Hein swivels in the box before unleashing a great strike on goal but Donnarumma dives across to save it. A brilliant effort from the Auxerre man.

KEY STAT

If Paris Saint-Germain win Ligue 1 they will go clear at the top as the most successful club in the competition with 11 wins. They are currently level with Saint-Etienne with 10 wins each.