PSG clinch eighth Ligue 1 title as Neymar gets back in action

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PSG claimed their eighth Ligue 1 title on Sunday, the sixth in the last seven seasons after second-placed Lille were held to a goalless draw at Toulouse.

Neymar made his return to the pitch after a three-month injury lay-off as PSG had a 3-1 win against AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.

The Brazil striker played the whole second half in his first appearance since January 23, but it was Kylian Mbappe who shone with a hat-trick to put PSG on to 84 points with five games remaining.

Kylian Mbappe of PSG celebrates a goal during their Ligue 1 match against AS Monaco in Paris, France, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

PSG, who had picked up only one point from their last three games, enjoyed a celebration night after officially being crowned earlier on Sunday when second-placed Lille, now 19 points behind on 65, were held to a goalless draw at Toulouse.

"We played a good, solid game even if we are not in our best period," said coach Thomas Tuchel, who also welcomed back Edinson Cavani after the Uruguay striker had missed more than two months of competition through injury.

Marco Verratti, however, could miss the Stade de France showdown after he picked up a possible ankle injury 15 minutes from time.

'Notre Dame' replaces the players' names on the back of the PSG shirts during the Ligue 1 match between PSG and AS Monaco in Paris, France, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

"Notre Dame" replaced the players' names on the back of the PSG shirts, while an image of the cathedral was printed on the front — an emotional touch at the end of a week scarred by the fire that had ripped through Paris's beloved monument.

Mbappe opened the scoring in the 15th minute after a one-two with Moussa Diaby and doubled the tally eight minutes before the interval after another fine one-two, this time with Dani Alves.

Players and fans pay tribute to Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral ahead of the Ligue 1 match between PSG and AS Monaco in Paris, France, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Mbappe tapped in from Alves' cross to become the first French player to score 30 goals in the French top flight since Jean-Pierre Papin in 1990.

Aleksandr Golovin reduced the arrears 10 minutes from time when he took advantage of some loose defending to beat Alphonse Areola from just inside the box.

Source(s): Reuters