Paris Saint-Germain moved nine points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with a 3-0 win over ten-man Lens on Saturday night.
Ligue 1
Result: Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 Lens
Date: 15 April 2023
Venue: Parc des Princes
PSG coach Christophe Galtier made just one change from the win over OCG Nice last week, as Fabian Ruiz replaced the injured Renato Sanches in the midfield.
There was a bit of fire in the build-up after Lens defender Facundo Medina said he would put Kylian Mbappe in an ambulance if he got past him.
However, the first half got of to a crazy start as the away side were reduced to ten men after just 19 minutes when Salis Samed was shown a straight red card for appearing to stamp on Achraf Hakimi's ankle.
Mbappe would go on to open the scoring in the 31st minute as the Frenchman combined with Vitina before unleashing a shot that hit the upright and sailed into the back of the net.
??????@KMbappe has become Paris Saint-Germain's sole all-time top scorer in the French top flight, scoring his 1??3??9??th league goal in the 3-1 win over RC Lens at the Parc des Princes.#PSGRCL https://t.co/gz2egw9xuP
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) April 15, 2023
Vitinha then got his name on the scoresheet six minutes later with a powerful strike from distance that left Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba with no chance between the sticks.
Lionel Messi capped off an impressive first half for the home side by adding a third goal five minutes before the break with a lovely finish after being played in by Mbappe's back-heel.
Despite being a man down, Lens managed to earn themselves a penalty in the 60th minute for a handball on Ruiz in the box, which allowed Przemyslaw Frankowski to convert from 12 yards out.
Lens went close to grabbing a second goal five minutes later when Lois Openda surged towards the box and unleashed a powerful strike, which PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnaruma was able to parry away.
That proved to be the final clear-cut opening for the away side, as Galtier's charges saw out he remaining stages with relative ease to hold on for back-to-back league wins.
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