Report, result and goals as champions go top
Paris Saint-Germain recorded a crucial 1-0 win over Auxerre to move to the top of Ligue 1 on Friday evening, with Bradley Barkula scoring the most important goal of the night.
Paris Saint-Germain controlled the ball from the start and set the tone immediately. During the first five minutes, Barkola made two passes, forcing the Auxerre-Lyon goalkeeper into sharp tackles.
The first time, Leon rushed off his line to narrow the angle, before recovering quickly to deprive Barkola again from a narrow position moments later.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was pivotal in PSG’s early pressure, frequently finding space on the right flank. In the 10th minute, his squirming run appeared to leave him open in front of goal, but Senali Diomandi recovered and blocked the effort with a well-timed challenge.
Auxerre struggled to gain a foothold in possession, with PSG enjoying nearly 80 percent of the ball within the first 20 minutes.
Despite their regional superiority, Paris Saint-Germain found it difficult to convert pressure into clear opportunities. Goncalo Ramos came the closest midway through the first half, meeting a Kvaratskhelia corner kick with a powerful header, but Lyon were quick to respond again to clear the ball.
The Auxerre goalkeeper continued to frustrate the visitors, making two great saves in the 38th minute to turn away two efforts from close range in a crowded penalty area.
Auxerre’s attacking threat was limited, although there were promising moments.
Lassen Sinayoko sent a dangerous low cross across the six-yard area in the 24th minute, but it dribbled past Danny Namasu at the far post. This will be one of the few opportunities available to the hosts.
The second half followed a similar rhythm, with PSG dominating possession and Auxerre waiting for turnovers. Namasou tested Paris Saint-Germain’s resolve shortly after the start of the second half with a shot from a distance that cleared the crossbar, while Barkola shot wide of the goal after leading a quick counterattack.
Luis Enrique responded by bringing on Ousmane Dembélé and Desire Dou just after the hour mark, looking to add further penetration against a tired defence.
Dembélé made an immediate impact, passing Barkola on goal in the 64th minute, although his effort hit the roof of the net.
Auxerre became more ambitious as the half progressed, sending more bodies forward and winning a series of corner kicks. However, they failed to register a single save from Lucas Chevalier, underscoring the lack of a finished product despite their growing intent.
The decisive moment came in the 79th minute, and it came from an Auxerre corner. PSG cleared their lines and sprinted, trapping the hosts at the halfway line.
Dembélé carried the ball forward before launching Barkola into space. In a one-on-one with Lyon, the winger maintained his composure and lifted the ball with his right foot over the advancing goalkeeper to give PSG the lead.
Auxerre pressed for a response in the final minutes, but Paris Saint-Germain managed the final minutes effectively. Doe won a free-kick deep in the PSG area during stoppage time, allowing the visitors to run the clock.
The result left Paris Saint-Germain two points away from the top of the French League table, while Auxerre remained in the relegation zone.
Don’t miss more hot News like this! Click here to discover the latest in Sports news!
2026-01-23 21:07:00
