Lionel Messi scored a brilliant goal as Paris Saint-Germain closed out Ligue 1 title despite being replaced by Lens with 10 players in a 1-1 draw at Parc des Princes.
PSG went into the game knowing that the point would be enough to claim the number 10 Ligue 1 title and they hoped the work would be done in style at home.
Lens replaced Kevin Danso in the 57th minute, and 11 minutes later Lionel Messi won the title with a long-range goal.
However, the time to win the title was marred in some way as PSG’s loose defense allowed Corentin Jean to steal from a distance and ensure the athletes won the trophy by squib humidity instead of thunder.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men were chased away by home fans at half-time, with Seko Fofana and Danso abandoning early chances for Lens before Achraf Hakimi and Neymar approached PSG.
PSG improved after the break and Kylian Mbappe was rejected by Jean-Louis Leca and Christopher Maurice Wooh’s goal in the rebound following a free-kick taken by Marco Verratti immediately.
Danso paid the price for a quick challenge to Neymar on the edge of the field as he received a second yellow card. Although Leca converted Messi’s next free-kick, there was nothing he could do to stop the Argentine from reaching the net 10 minutes later.
It was a sign of Messi’s dismissal, his 25-yard shot missing in a good but flexible position and speed to leave Leca without a chance.
However, the frustration that meant so much of the evening came back in the 88th minute when Jean slipped home Driver Machado’s ball on the face of the post and calmed the celebrations.
