PSG Thrash Saint-Etienne 6-1 to Close in on Ligue 1 Title

PSG's dominant 6-1 win over Saint-Etienne has put them on the brink of lifting their 10th Ligue 1 title in 12 seasons. Stay up-to-date with the latest Ligue 1 scores, standings, and analysis.

Doue's impressive brace helped power Paris Saint-Germain to a resounding 6-1 victory over Saint-Etienne, moving the club to the brink of securing their 10th Ligue 1 title in the last 12 seasons.

PSG's triumph was all the more impressive given their initial struggles. Facing a hostile atmosphere, with away fans banned from attending, and knowing that a win would virtually seal the title, PSG seemed overwhelmed by the occasion. Saint-Etienne dominated the early stages, catching PSG off guard and putting them under pressure.

Saint-Etienne's relentless pressure eventually paid off, courtesy of a decisive moment from Georgian winger Zuriko Davitashvili. Davitashvili, who had been troubling Warren Zaire-Emery from the start, delivered a pinpoint cross to an unmarked Lucas Stassin, who headed the hosts into the lead on nine minutes.

Although PSG began to gain momentum after conceding, Gautier Larsonneur remained untested in the Saint-Etienne goal. Fabian Ruiz's effort drifted wide of the mark, and Les Verts breathed a collective sigh of relief. Saint-Etienne were then let off the hook again when Goncalo Ramos failed to capitalize on Leo Petrot's missed clearance.

PSG close in on the title! 🔥🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/gPslR23q4F

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 29, 2025

However, Saint-Etienne's luck eventually ran out, and they conceded a crucial penalty on the stroke of half-time. Florian Tardieu's mistimed tackle on Ramos in the area led to the Portuguese forward dusting himself off and firing into the top corner from the spot. Matvey Safonov's one-on-one save to deny Stassin at the end of the half proved pivotal, as PSG went on to dominate the second half.

PSG's superiority was evident in the second half, as they scored four unanswered goals to seal a resounding victory. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia capitalized on Mickael Nade's error, racing away to score with a precise finish. Bradley Barcola then hit the upright, but it was only a matter of time before PSG added to their tally. Irvin Cardona's mistake proved costly, as Desire Doue executed a clinical finish inside Larsonneur's near post to give PSG a comfortable lead.

Saint-Etienne's energy levels plummeted after their exhausting first-half performance, allowing PSG to seize control of the match. Bradley Barcola exploited the hosts' vulnerability, venturing down the left flank and delivering a precise cross into the box. Joao Neves arrived at the perfect moment to convert the opportunity, further extending PSG's lead.

Desire Doue continued to torment the Saint-Etienne defense, scoring his second goal of the match on 67 minutes. Doue breezed past several tentative challenges before unleashing a powerful shot that crashed into the near top corner. PSG's momentum was further boosted by the introduction of Presnel Kimpembe, who made his first league appearance since February 2023.

PSG capped off their resounding victory with a final strike, courtesy of 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye's first senior goal. Mendes slid a pass through to Barcola, who squared the ball across the box for Mbaye to scramble home. With Marseille having lost earlier in the day, PSG's title aspirations received a significant boost. A draw between Nice and Monaco would secure the Ligue 1 title for Les Parisiens, providing a timely morale boost ahead of crucial Coupe de France and Champions League fixtures.

The defeat leaves Saint-Etienne facing an increasingly bleak outlook, with automatic safety looking unlikely after a dismal 10-match winless run. The best-case scenario for Les Verts may be a relegation play-off, highlighting the immense challenge ahead as they strive to preserve their top-flight status.