PARIS (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won 3-0 away at Angers yesterday but will have to wait a little longer to be confirmed as Ligue 1 champions after nearest challengers Marseille beat Nantes 3-2.
PSG started the day 15 points clear with six games left and so knew they could clinch their eighth Ligue 1 crown in 10 years if second-placed Marseille slipped up.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side got the result they needed, brushing aside struggling Angers despite being without the injured Lionel Messi and the suspended Neymar.
Kylian Mbappe put PSG in front as Ligue 1’s leading scorer notched his 22nd of the season just before the half-hour mark at the Stade Raymond Kopa.
Sergio Ramos then marked a rare appearance by doubling the lead in first-half stoppage time when he headed in Angel Di Maria’s cross, and his central defensive colleague Marquinhos added a late third.
However PSG, who had young midfielder Edouard Michut sent off in stoppage time, were made to wait for the record-equalling 10th French title in their history as Amine Harit’s strike gave Marseille victory at the Velodrome.
Marseille came from behind twice against Nantes through Dimitri Payet penalties before Harit struck in the 75th minute to make it 3-2 and secure a precious win for Jorge Sampaoli’s side as they chase Champions League qualification.
PSG remain 15 points clear with just 15 points left to play for and also boast a far superior goal difference.
They will be confirmed champions tomorrow with a point at home to Lens.
“It is really important for us to win the championship and I hope we can do it on Saturday,” Pochettino told broadcaster Canal Plus.
“We always talk about wanting to win the Champions League but there is also value in winning the league,” he told reporters later.
“PSG must accord value to every competition they play in. Let’s hope we can celebrate the title together with our fans on Saturday.”