Paris Saint-Germain have officially clinched the Ligue 1 title as Lionel Messi's strike helped secure a 1-1 draw against Lens on Saturday night.
Ligue 1
Result: Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 Lens
Date: 23 April 2022
Venue: Parc des Princes
PSG welcomed back Lionel Messi and Neymar, who both missed their win over Angers through injury and suspension respectively, as they joined Kylian Mbappe upfront.
Lens had a bullish approach in the opening exchanges, giving as much as they were getting from PSG, as both sides threatened to get an early goal.
However, Mauricio Pochettino's charges came the closest to breaking the deadlock in the 26th minute after Achraf Hakimi went clear on goal but his attempted chip in a one-on-one brushed the face of goalkeeper Jean-Louis Leca.
Lens were not lying down and were asking questions of the Parisians but a combination of shot-stopper Keylor Navas' firmness and a lack of a killer instinct from the visitors ensured the sides were still deadlocked at half-time.
The Parisians were on the front foot coming from the half-time break as Mbappe came close to breaking the deadlock seven minutes into the second stanza after going clear on goal but he was denied by Leca in a one-on-one.
Lens could not keep up with PSG's attacks, as they were reduced to ten men just before the hour-mark after Kevin Danso got a second booking for a sliding challenge on Neymar and was sent off.
The hosts' attacks intensified and Messi eventually broke the deadlock 22 minutes before time with a curling strike into the top corner from the edge of the box after he picked up by Neymar in space.
Pochettino made a tactical and attacking change in the last quarter of an hour, as Angel Di Maria replaced Hakimi.
However, PSG were punished from a possession turnover in the last two minutes after Corentin Jean tucked home a cross by Deiver Machado at the back post.
There was still time for the winner as Mbappe fizzled a strike just wide from Neymar's knock down in stoppage time but ultimately the sides shared the spoils.
A point for PSG was enough to clinch the title with four matches left, with an unassailable lead of 16 points at the top of the log.
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