PSG clinch fifth straight Ligue 1 title after beating rivals Lens

London [UK], May 15: Paris St Germain wrapped up their fifth straight Ligue 1 title by beating closest challengers Lens 2-0 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
PSG needed just a point against their second-placed rivals to seal their 12th domestic crown in the last 14 years and they led through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's first-half strike before Ibrahim Mbaye added a second in time added on.
Lens defied expectations by pushing the Parisians for much of the season and can still finish on a high when they face Nice in the Coupe de France final later this month.
Luis Enrique's side, who climbed six points clear of Lens with one game remaining, play city rivals Paris FC in their last league match on Sunday before facing Arsenal in the Champions League final later this month.
Dro Fernandez flashed an early shot narrowly wide for PSG and Odsonne Edouard saw his effort blocked at the other end before the Lens striker was denied by Matvey Safonov from inside the penalty area.
Edouard was proving a handful for the visitors, but they took the lead in the 29th minute through Georgia forward Kvaratskhelia's 23rd goal of the season for club and country, a clinical low finish after he had been sent clear by Ousmane Dembele's through-ball.
Lens continued to create chances with Abdallah Sima seeing his rasping drive well saved and a header fly narrowly wide.
Dembele went close to adding the visiting team's second before the break when his low shot was kept out by Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser.
Safonov foiled Sima again early in the second period and then swooped low to keep out Matthieu Udol's header as the hosts pressed for an equalizer.
The home side went even closer in the 74th minute when Sima's shot hit a post and Mamadou Sangare then forced Safonov into another save as PSG held on to their slender lead.
The visitors then broke away in stoppage time to seal victory, with Mbaye turning the ball home from inside the area from Desire Doue's cross.
Source: Qatar Tribune