Messi shoots PSG sublime to title; still depressed faces after the final signal


Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 10:50 PM• Jeroen van Poppel • Last update: 23:02

Paris Saint-Germain won the national championship for the tenth time in club history on Saturday evening. The star ensemble of Mauricio Pochettino looked to be on their way to three points after a fantastic goal from Lionel Messi against just ten players from RC Lens. PSG, however, were surprised in the final phase and had to take the equalizer: 1-1. Reproachful glances between the stars were the result, but PSG also has one point enough to be able to call themselves champions for the tenth time in history. It is Pochettino’s first national title as a coach.

Due to the recovery of Sergio Ramos, who finally seems really fit after a lingering injury, PSG is well in the center defenders. Just like three days before against Angers (0-3 win), Pochettino decided to field three of that type of players. Neymar and Lionel Messi returned after suspension and injury respectively, reinstating the ‘dreamed’ attack with Kylian Mbappe in the Parisians’ basic formation. Georginio Wijnaldum and Xavi Simons remained on the bench.

PSG clearly had the upper hand in possession and also had the best opportunities, but did not have their sights sharp before half time. Mbappe fired wildly over twice on a break through the defence, while the launched Achraf Hakimi fired at the swiftly exited goalkeeper Jean-Louis Leca. At times, PSG’s defense also looked vulnerable to Lens counterattacks, which made several shooting attempts via center striker Fodé Fofana. The best chance for the visitors was just before half-time for Jonathan Clauss, who produced a roller in free position.

A quickly taken corner by Marco Verratti launched Mbappé again shortly after the break, who tipped the ball half over Leca and saw his rebound off the line by Christopher Wooh. Shortly afterwards, Neymar was knocked hard by Kevin Danso, who received his second yellow card for that. PSG went hunting even more emphatically in numbers and Hakimi placed low on Ramos, who shot high from close range. In the 68th minute, Messi suddenly made the best use of the space that was offered 17 meters from the goal. The Argentinian lashed out and found the crossing brilliant: 1-0. PSG thought they would take the win, but got a major setback two minutes before the end. Ramos failed to block Deiver Machado in the penalty area, after which Corentin Jean was able to tap in his low cross: 1-1.

No. Team m W G V † Pnt
1 Paris Saint Germain 34 24 6 4 45 78
2 Olympique Marseille 33 18 8 7 22 62
3 AS Monaco 34 17 8 9 20 59
4 Stade Rennes 33 17 5 11 34 56
5 Strasbourg 33 15 11 7 20 56
6 OGC Nice 33 16 7 10 13 54
7 RC Lens 34 15 9 10 11 54
8 Olympique Lyon 34 14 11 9 11 52
9 Lille OSC 33 12 12 9 1 48
10 Nantes 33 13 8 12 5 47
11 Montpellier 34 12 6 16 -5 42
12 Stade Brest 33 11 9 13 -6 42
13 Reims 33 9 13 11 0 40
14 Angers 33 8 10 15 -13 34
15 lorient 33 8 10 15 -19 34
16 Troyes AC 33 8 9 16 -16 33
17 Clermont 33 8 8 17 -28 32
18 Saint Etienne 34 7 10 17 -30 31
19 Girondins de Bordeaux 33 5 12 16 -35 27
20 Metz 33 4 12 17 -30 24

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