Football

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) extended their lead atop the French Ligue 1 standings to six points on Saturday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Lens. The defending champions' triumph was secured by an early goal from Ousmane Dembélé, who has been in impressive form since returning from injury.Dembélé's strike came in the fourth minute when he received a low cross from Bradley Barcola and slotted the ball into the back of the net. Barcola has been PSG's standout attacking player this season, and his assist for Dembélé's goal was a testament to his growing influence in the team.PSG dominated possession throughout the match but struggled to create clear-cut chances. Lens, on the other hand, defended resolutely and had a few opportunities of their own. However, they were unable to find an equalizer, and PSG held on for a narrow victory.The win was particularly important for PSG as it came just days before their crucial Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid. Dembélé's return to form is a major boost for coach Luis Enrique, who has been under pressure to improve the team's attacking output.Despite their victory, PSG will be disappointed not to have scored more goals. They had several chances to extend their lead, but they were unable to capitalize on them. Lens, meanwhile, will be encouraged by their performance and will believe they can challenge for a top-half finish this season.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) kicked off their Ligue 1 title defense with a resounding 4-1 victory over Le Havre on Friday. Despite the departure of star forward Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid, PSG showcased their depth and resilience in their first competitive match of the season.South Korean winger Lee Kang-in opened the scoring for PSG within three minutes, but Le Havre equalized through Gautier Lloris in the second half. However, late goals from Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, and a Randal Kolo Muani penalty sealed the victory for the reigning French champions.PSG's substitutes played a pivotal role in the win, with Dembele, Barcola, and Kolo Muani all coming off the bench to make a significant impact. Joao Neves, who joined from Benfica for a hefty fee, also made his debut for PSG in the second half.Despite the comfortable scoreline, PSG coach Luis Enrique acknowledged areas for improvement. "We had highs and lows, but the substitutes did a lot of good for us," he said. "The final score disguises the fact that there are things to improve upon."PSG's victory highlights their strength in depth, with several young players stepping up to fill the void left by Mbappe. Ibrahim Mbaye, Yoram Zague, and Warren Zaire-Emery all started for PSG, showcasing the club's commitment to developing young talent.Le Havre, under new coach Didier Digard, showed promise but ultimately fell short against a more experienced and talented PSG side. They will be hoping to bounce back in their next match against Auxerre.PSG's next challenge will be a home match against Montpellier on August 13th. They will be aiming to continue their winning ways and establish themselves as the early frontrunners in the Ligue 1 title race.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) capped off a remarkable season by securing a domestic treble with a 2-1 victory over Olympique Lyonnais in the French Cup final on Saturday. The Ligue 1 and French Super Cup champions dominated the first half at Lille's Stade Pierre-Mauroy, extending their record-breaking Cup title count to 15.Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring for PSG in the 23rd minute, capitalizing on a cross from Nuno Mendes to head home from close range. Fabian Ruiz doubled the advantage just minutes later, firing a shot from a tight angle that found the back of the net.Lyon fought back in the second half, with Jake O'Brien reducing the deficit with a towering header from a corner. However, PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a superb save to deny Lyon an equalizer.Despite the absence of Kylian Mbappe, who failed to find the net in his final game for the club, PSG held on to secure the victory. The French superstar leaves PSG with an impressive record of 256 goals in 308 appearances over his seven-year spell.PSG's triumph marks their first French Cup title since 2021 and completes a historic treble for the club. They have now won all three major domestic trophies in France this season, adding to their Ligue 1 and French Super Cup victories.