FOOTBALL: PSG WIN 12TH LIGUE TITLE AFTER MONACO DEFEAT

Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappé (L) fights for the ball with Le Havre's Ivorian French defender Christopher Opéri during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Le Havre AC at the Parc des Princes Stadium, in Paris on April 27, 2024. FRANCK FIFE / AFP

 Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has won the French league in Kylian Mbappé's last season at the club after Monaco lost 3-2 at Lyon on Sunday, April 28. PSG has an unassailable 12-point lead over second-place Monaco, which has three games left. The Ligue 1 triumph is PSG's third in a row and a record-extending 12th overall. Mbappé has been involved in six of them, but comes off contract at the end of the season. He's expected to be signed by Real Madrid.

PSG is on course for a potential historic treble as it will play at Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday and face Lyon in the French Cup final on May 25. In coach Luis Enrique's first season at the club, PSG produced one of the most dominant seasons in league history with just one loss in 31 games so far.

PSG could have clinched the title on Saturday with a win at home to struggling Le Havre, but in the end they needed a 95th-minute equalizer to snatch a 3-3 draw. However, after that game, coach Luis Enrique insisted his side had won the league "without any doubt," as they were 12 points clear with only 12 points left to play for and also boasted a far superior goal difference to that of Monaco.

The principality club's loss in Lyon nevertheless makes PSG's coronation official and sets them up for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg away to Borussia Dortmund in Germany.

Monaco had taken the lead inside the opening minute in Lyon thanks to a Wissam Ben Yedder goal, but Alexandre Lacazette equalized for the hosts and Said Benrahma put them ahead before the half-hour mark. Ben Yedder struck again to bring it back to 2-2, only for substitute Malick Fofana to net a late winner for Lyon, who are still hoping to qualify for Europe.

PSG have won 10 of their 12 titles in the last 12 seasons, a record that goes to show how the Qatari takeover of the club in 2011 has utterly transformed them and the face of French football as a whole. They are on course for a clean sweep of trophies this season, with the French Cup final against Lyon to come on May 25 and the French Champions Trophy already in the bag. Luis Enrique's side are also hoping to see off Dortmund and win through to the final of the Champions League on June 1.

Brest wins nine-goal thriller

Elsewhere, Brest took another big step toward qualifying for the Champions League for the first time by scoring deep in injury time to beat Rennes 5-4 in an incredible game. Former Rennes defender Lilian Brassier popped up with the decisive goal six minutes into stoppage time to decide the Brittany derby in Brest's favor. They had been 2-0 down inside nine minutes after Arnaud Kalimuendo netted twice for the home side at Roazhon Park, but quickly pulled one back through Steve Mounie and then equalized just after the break via a goal by Warmed Omari.

Uruguayan striker Martin Satriano put Brest in front, and Mahdi Camara made it 4-2, seemingly wrapping up the points. However, Arthur Theate and Martin Terrier both scored to bring Rennes back level again, apparently securing them a precious point in the fight for European qualification before Brassier struck. It is a huge three points for Brest after they lost their previous two matches, and the win ensures they end the weekend in third place, two points behind Monaco and a point clear of Lille, which won 2-1 at Metz.

The top three teams in Ligue 1 qualify automatically for next season's expanded Champions League, with the team in fourth entering the competition in the preliminary rounds. Ismaily and Yusuf Yazici scored Lille's goals as they came from behind to take all three points after Georgian international Georges Mikautadze put Metz ahead from the penalty spot.

Nice strengthened their grip on fifth spot by winning 3-1 at Patrick Vieira's Strasbourg. The Côte d'Azur club remains four points behind Lille, meaning Champions League qualification looks to be beyond them. Lorient remains in the automatic relegation spots and three points from safety after a 2-1 home loss to Toulouse. Clermont is still bottom but is now only four points from safety with three games left after beating Reims 4-1 with Austrian international Muhammed Cham netting two penalties and Elbasan Rashani also scoring twice.

PSG KEEPER DONNARUMMA HETS TWO-MATCH BAN FOR CASIMIR KICK

Reuters 

Paris St Germain keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has been suspended for two matches over a high challenge that saw him sent off during Sunday's 2-0 win at Le Havre, the French league's governing body said on Wednesday.

The Italy international was sent off in the 10th minute after his mistimed attempt at a high-footed clearance caught Josue Casimir in the head.

Donnarumma will miss the defending champions' Ligue 1 games against Nantes and Lille over the next two weekends but remains eligible for Wednesday's Champions League game at Dortmund.

- Reuters 

MBAPPÉ'S SCORES AS PSG OVERCOME LE HARVE DESPITE DONNARUMMA'S !

AP Photo 

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain had no problem beating Le Havre 2-0 to extend its lead at the top of the French league standings on Sunday despite playing for more than 80 minutes with 10 men after goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was sent off for a reckless tackle.

Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Vitinha ensured a seventh consecutive league win for Luis Enrique's team. PSG has a four-point cushion at the top after second-place Nice was handed its first loss this season on Saturday, a 1-0 defeat at Nantes.

Le Havre got off to a strong start with several good moves but lacked accuracy to inflict any damage. The hosts produced 22 shots, but only seven of them were on target.

Donnarumma was sent off following a reckless foul outside his box. The Italy goalkeeper came out of the area as he tried to clear a long ball with a very high tackle, but instead made contact with Le Havre forward Josue Casimir's face.

Referee Bastien Dechepy showed him a red card and Bradley Barcola made way for substitute goalie Arnau Tenas, who was happy to keep a clean sheet on his debut.

“It’s wonderful," he said. "I’d like to thank everyone for this opportunity, it’s an incredible day today. The team was strong for every minute played, and I was able to stop the opposition’s shots.”