Ligue 1 - PSG 3-1 Monaco - Match Report
PSG celebrate Ligue 1 title triumph in style as Mbappe hits a hat-trick against Monaco in 3-1 win
Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick and Neymar made his return from a three-month injury lay-off as Paris Saint-Germain began their Ligue 1 title celebrations with a 3-1 win over visitors Monaco on Sunday.
PSG were already confirmed as champions earlier in the day after second-placed Lille could only draw 0-0 with Toulouse, and Thomas Tuchel's men subsequently played with freedom in an emphatic triumph inspired by Mbappe against his old club.
The lethal Mbappe took only 15 minutes to make his mark at the end of a stunning counter-attack and he doubled his tally just before half-time, rounding off another well-worked move.
Neymar – fit again after breaking his foot in January – came on at the interval to a huge cheer, before Mbappe completed his treble in the 55th minute to become the youngest player to score 30 goals in France's top division.
Aleksandr Golovin's late strike proved to be nothing more than a consolation for a Monaco side who still face the threat of relegation.
Monaco's chances took an early blow when they lost goalkeeper Danijel Subasic to an apparent thigh strain, and PSG had the breakthrough soon after – Mbappe collecting Moussa Diaby's pass and finishing into the top-left corner to round off a devastating break.
The former Monaco talisman missed a great chance in the 33rd minute, but he made amends a few moments later, playing a one-two with Dani Alves and neatly finding the bottom-right corner from just inside the area.
PSG introduced Neymar for Layvin Kurzawa at half-time, but still Mbappe led the way, hitting the post after bursting past Kamil Glik in the 52nd minute.
He then grabbed his third, tapping in from close range after Alves raced on to Marco Verratti's pass and squared across the face of goal.
PSG lost Verratti to an injury towards the end and Golovin pulled one back with a tidy finish just inside the box, but the hosts' lead was unassailable and they cruised to victory.
Goals/Highlights
Goal! Monaco pulls back a consolation! Aleksandr Golovin with the goal!
Goal! It was inevitable really! Kylian Mbappe scores a hat-trick against his former club turning in a Dani Alves cross! That's his 30th goal of the season!
Chance! Mbappe denied a hat-trick thanks to the upright!
Here comes Neymar! After injuring his metatarsal in January, the Brazilian attacker is back in PSG action!
Goal! It's been coming! Kylian Mbappe scores his 29th league goal of the season rounding off a fine passing move with Danni Alves!
Chance! Kylian Mbappe drills a shot just wide!
Goal! Kylian Mbappe fires PSG into the lead, nice touch with the classy no celebration from the former Monaco man!
Peep! We are underway in Paris!
Live Updates
Preamble
Former Newcastle United legend has popped into the studio to have his say on the Notre Dame tribute made by PSG
Now for Monaco! Falcao leads the line, whilst Aleksandr Golovin starts in midfield with Andre Silva, which is nice.
So team news! First up PSG! The headline, Kylian Mbappé starts in attack! He'll be playing alongside teenager Moussa Diaby. Good news, Neymar makes the bench and joins Edinson Cavani, Angel Di Maria, Julian Draxler and Gianluigi Buffon on the most stacked bench of all time.
Likewise, Monaco has added a Notre Dame logo for their rather impressive looking kit!
A lovely touch from PSG in remembering the Notre Dame fire!
Confirmation there that Neymar is training! I wonder if he gets a start tonight?
Good news PSG fans! Whisper it, but Neymar could be back in the starting line up tonight. It seems that the worlds most expensive player has recovered and could be involved tonight after injuring his metatarsal back in January. (I hope he's wearing the dreadlocks)
As for Monaco, they are sixteenth in Ligue 1. After a shocking start under Thierry Henry, Leonardo Jardim was recalled to manage the side and has improved results to pull the 2017/18 Ligue 1 winners away from the relegation zone. Anyway, it's easter over in Europe! This rather Eggsellent easter tweet should get you in the mood!
Woo hoo! PSG have won Ligue 1 (For the sixth time in the last seven seasons) this hype video sums it all up appropriately!
Good evening! Fancy a Ligue 1 title party in Paris! Of course, you do! PSG claimed the Ligue 1 title today after second-placed Lille dropped points to Toulouse earlier today. So join me for all the latest updates, team news and video highlights on what should be a night of celebration for PSG.
