Messi shoots PSG to 11th national title, Benfica champions Portugal

Paris Saint-Germain have once again become champions of France. The team of stars Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Neymar, absent due to injury, needed only a 1-1 at Strassbourg to win their 11th national title, a French record.

RC Lens still had a chance on paper, but then PSG had to lose twice. Lens itself soon had its act together on the penultimate day. After 35 minutes, it was already leading 3-0 against Ajaccio. And that’s where it would stay.

PSG had to contend with the home team before halftime, where Habib Diallo hit the post from a difficult angle after a misplayed ball back by El Chadaille Bitshiabu, and hit the upright again with a hard shot shortly before the break.

The capitalists took the lead after an hour. Mbappé played Messi, who shot the ball into the far corner. Kevin Gameiro made it 1-1 from a messy rebound, after goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had turned away a shot from Morgan Sanson.

PSG, which has now won the title nine times in the past 11 seasons, became record holders alone with its 11th championship. Saint-Étienne also stood at ten titles since 1981.

Benfica became Portuguese champions for the 38th time thanks to a 3-0 home victory over straggler Santa Clara. The team of former PSV coach Roger Schmidt, in his first season in Lisbon, takes the title from FC Porto, which in theory still had a chance of capturing its 31st title.

Because it was 1-1 in mutual duels (with an equal goal difference in those duels), in case of a tie, the goal difference from the whole league would be decisive. Benfica’s was better and so a draw in Lisbon in the 34th and final round of play sufficed.

After just under half an hour, the fans at Estádio de Luz went wild after goals from Gonçalo Ramos, who headed in after only seven minutes, and Rafa Silva. Grimaldo, after a handball from the penalty spot, signed for the 3-0 against already relegated Santa Clara.