PSG seal fifth straight Ligue 1 title with win at Lens

LENS: Paris St-Germain wrapped up a fifth consecutive Ligue 1 crown on Wednesday after beating closest challengers RC Lens 2-0 away from home.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put PSG in front shortly before the half-hour mark with what was his 19th goal of the season, and substitute Ibrahim Mbaye added another late on to confirm the result. The victory moved PSG nine points clear at the top with one game left, leaving their lead beyond reach.

Head coach Luis Enrique said his side had shown they could win in difficult circumstances as well.

“Today, we spent more time defending than usual,” said Luis Enrique. “But if you want to win trophies, you have to be able to dominate both offensively and defensively. And the team today showed the mentality it needs to win.

“This is the sweetest and hardest title to win. The hardest of the three years we’ve had here, without a doubt. But that’s also because Lens did a very good job,” the Spanish manager added.

The latest success takes PSG to a record 14 French league titles overall. Twelve of those have come in the last 14 years during the club’s period under Qatari ownership.

It is also the longest run of successive Ligue 1 championships since Olympique Lyonnais won seven in a row between 2002 and 2008.

PSG had already collected the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Intercontinental Cup and French Champions Trophy this season, and they still have another major final ahead. The reigning European champions are due to face Arsenal in the Champions League final in Budapest on May 30. A victory there would make them only the second side in the modern era to retain the European Cup.

Ousmane Dembele said the team had also been focused on preparing for that showpiece.

“We wanted to come here and win, but we especially want to prepare for the final on May 30,” last year’s Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele told broadcaster beIN Sports.

“We have one more game to come on Sunday (against Paris FC). We will celebrate this because it’s official now, we are champions.”

Lens, despite the defeat, are assured of second place and with it a place in the league phase of next season’s Champions League. The northern club are set to return to that competition for the first time since 2023/24.

They also have the French Cup final to come against Nice on Friday, May 22.

Strasbourg win but miss out on Europe

In Wednesday’s other Ligue 1 fixture, Strasbourg beat Brest 2-1 through goals from Valentin Barco and Sebastian Nanasi. Even so, they can finish no higher than eighth and will therefore not play in Europe next season.