Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain closed in on the Ligue 1 title with a 2-1 win over Auxerre.
The French captain scored a brace in the first eight minutes at the Stade de l’Abb-Deschamps, which Lassine Sinayoko answered in the second half.
Defending champions PSG subsequently regain their six points at the Ligue 1 summit and only need one point in their last two games to successfully defend their crown.
Meanwhile, Auxerre, who finished in 16th place, remains just one point above the relegation zone after their first loss in eight home matches.
Mbappe broke the stalemate in the sixth minute by hooking on a pass from Fabian Ruiz and gracefully arching and turning away from his marker before striking into the top corner.
Two minutes later, the France captain doubled his team’s lead by flexing in a brilliant first from 20 yards after Hugo Ekitike neatly knocked down Lionel Messi’s pass.
2. Kylian Mbappé scored two goals in two minutes and 14 seconds, the second fastest double of his career since the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina (1 minute and 35 seconds). Lucky Luke. #AJAPSG pic.twitter.com/RF9khxECv4
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) May 21, 2023
Messi was also close to the visitors when he fired straight at Ionuta Radu, but it wasn’t a one-way move as the hosts threatened through Ryan Ravelson, who shook the bar from 25 yards.
Auxerre pulled back the goal six minutes after the restart. Nuno da Costa landed a long-range goal kick from Radu in the path of Sinayoko, who ran past the defense before going through Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Mbappé appeared to score his hat-trick at the end of injury time, but the VAR system canceled his finish, but the PSG team clung against the odds to get closer to another triumph.
What does it mean? PSG on edge
Second-placed Lance’s victory over Lorient earlier on Sunday meant PSG could mathematically not win the Ligue 1 title here.
But with just one point they need in their last two matches and with a much bigger goal difference than their rivals (16), an 11th home crown is all they need.
Quickfire corset
The striker brought his Ligue 1 tally to 28 goals, matching his performance in the 2021-2022 season, after scoring twice in just two minutes and 14 seconds at the Stade de l’Abb-Deschamps.
It was the second-fastest double of the French captain’s career after his double in the World Cup final against Argentina earlier this season (one minute 35 seconds).
Tone for Galtier
Galtier’s future may be uncertain, but his place in Ligue 1 history is assured as he takes his 100th away win as French top-flight manager.
He became only the third manager to reach triple figures after Albert Batto (138) and Guy Roux (105).
Opta key stats
– PSG won their 14th away win of the season, the highest of any team in the big five European leagues, along with Napoli.
– Fabian Ruiz has scored in each of his last three Ligue 1 games, the longest run of his career in the big five European leagues.
– Nuno da Costa has scored five goals in six Ligue 1 games against Paris Saint-Germain since today’s assist, more than against any other team in the top division.
What’s next?
PSG will travel to Strasbourg on Saturday knowing a draw will be enough to secure the Ligue 1 title. Meanwhile, Auxerre are looking to bolster their survival hopes at Toulouse later that day.