The French Ligue 1 title race has taken a dramatic turn as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) returned to the summit with a commanding 3-0 victory over struggling Metz at the Parc des Princes. The result, however, was facilitated by title rivals Lens, who squandered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 against Monaco, opening the door for the Parisian giants.
Earlier in the day, Lens had been one point ahead of PSG. Despite leading 2-0 at home in the second half, Lens suffered their first home league defeat since August, allowing PSG to capitalise and retake top spot in the standings.
The match against Metz saw an explosive start. Within just three minutes, Dijiré Doye broke the deadlock. The young forward sprinted from midfield, receiving a precise long pass from Warren Zaire-Emery, and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.
Shortly before half-time, PSG doubled their advantage through Bradley Barcola. A corner from Lucas Hernandez saw his header saved by Metz’s keeper, but Barcola was alert at the near post to poke the rebound into the net. The victory was sealed in the closing stages when Gonzalo Ramos struck with a powerful finish, scoring his 11th goal of the season.
Coach Luis Enrique made several rotations, resting key players ahead of PSG’s UEFA Champions League play-off second leg against Monaco on Wednesday. Doye, who had netted twice in the first-leg 3-2 win at Monaco, started the match, while Ousmane Dembélé remained sidelined with injury.
With 11 matches remaining, PSG now hold a two-point advantage over Lens. Meanwhile, third-placed Lyon can close the gap if they secure a win against Strasbourg on Sunday, adding further intrigue to the title race.
The current Ligue 1 standings among the top three are as follows:
| Position | Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PSG | 27 | 19 | 4 | 4 | +38 | 61 |
| 2 | Lens | 27 | 18 | 4 | 5 | +35 | 59 |
| 3 | Lyon | 27 | 17 | 4 | 6 | +29 | 55 |
With the title race intensifying, every remaining match carries immense significance. PSG’s ability to seize opportunities created by rivals, combined with their attacking depth, positions them as strong contenders to clinch another Ligue 1 crown. Lens and Lyon, however, remain formidable challengers, promising a tense and exhilarating conclusion to the season.