France skipper Kylian Mbappé scored twice in two minutes on Sunday night to set up Paris Saint-Germain’s victory over relegation-threatened Auxerre and take his side to the brink of a ninth Ligue 1 title in 11 years and a record 11th top flight crown.
Mbappé struck his 27th and 28th Ligue 1 goals of the season in the sixth and eighth minute at the Stade de l’Abbe-Deschamps to silence the vociferous home supporters who were yearning for an upset that would edge them nearer to another season in Ligue 1.
Despite the early advantage, the pacesetters could not add to their tally and were reeled in just after the pause when Lassine Sinayoko halved the deficit.
The visitors withstood the onslaught to hold on for the victory that effectively guarantees them the title.
After 36 games, Christophe Galtier’s men boast 84 points, six more than second-placed Lens.
However, PSG enjoy a vastly superior goal difference and even with defeats next Saturday at relegated Strasbourg and at home to Clermont on 3 June, they are unlikely to be overhauled by Lens who ostensibly took proceedings into the 37th round of games after coming from behind to win 3-1 at Lorient on Sunday afternoon.
Character
Romain Faivre gave the hosts the lead in the sixth minute,
But midway through the first-half, Lens seized control with two goals in five minutes from Florian Sotoca and Adrien Thomasson.
Seko Fofana wrapped up the show in the closing stages.
“We had to work hard but we know how to do that,”
Lens boss Franck Haise told French broadcaster Canal +.
“At 2-1 up I think we were worried too much about the result but the substitutes came on and added some energy and that got us back on track to score the third late in the game,”
Haise added.
Lens, who have only dropped five points at home this campaign, will claim second place – and automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League – with victory over relegated Ajaccio on Saturday night at the State Bollaert.
