Paris Saint-Germain moved to the brink of a 14th French league title — and a fifth consecutive one — after a late goal from substitute Désiré Doué secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Brest at the Parc des Princes on Sunday evening. The win leaves PSG six points clear of second-placed Lens with just two games remaining and a goal difference that makes a collapse virtually inconceivable.
Doué, who came on as a second-half substitute, found the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area in the 82nd minute to settle a contest that had been far harder than PSG's dominance in the table might suggest. Coach Luis Enrique had rotated his squad heavily — understandably so, given that PSG had eliminated Bayern Munich in a thrilling Champions League semi-final just days earlier, winning 6-5 on aggregate. The makeshift lineup struggled to break down a disciplined Brest side that, having little left to play for in the league, nevertheless defended with organisation and spirit throughout the first half. Nineteen-year-old goalkeeper Renato Marin, making only his second appearance for the club, was called upon repeatedly to keep PSG level, producing a series of assured saves.
The second half saw Enrique turn to his first-team regulars, bringing on Doué alongside Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Senny Mayulu came agonisingly close to opening the scoring when his shot struck both the crossbar and the post, before Doué finally provided the decisive moment. A last-ditch save from Marin late on preserved the clean sheet.
PSG now travel to Lens's Bollaert stadium on Wednesday, where a single point will be enough to confirm the title mathematically. The atmosphere at the Parc des Princes at full time was jubilant, with supporters still celebrating the club's imminent Champions League final appearance alongside what looks to be an all-but-certain domestic championship. Elsewhere in Ligue 1, Lille moved into third place with a 1-0 win over Monaco — boosted by a Denis Zakaria own goal — keeping their hopes of Champions League qualification for next season firmly alive.