French league champion Paris Saint-Germain broke the record for most points in a season by defeating Lille 3-1
on Saturday.
PSG has 86 points, two more than Lyon’s record in 2006.
Brazilian defender Marquinhos headed home a rebound in the 41st minute after Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama denied Lucas Moura.
Lucas proved more clinical in the 66th, taking a pass from Javier Pastore to double the lead with an angled strike. The PSG winger fed Blaise Matuidi for the third goal in the 83rd.
Lille substitute Jonathan Delaplace capitalized on a turnover from Marco Verratti inside the area to score a consolation goal in the last minute.
“We rediscovered a PSG clinical in front of goal,” PSG coach Laurent Blanc said. “It’s been a while since we last scored three goals.”
The hosts were down to 10 men in the 36th when Lille midfielder Marvin Martin was sent off for a stamp on Yohan Cabaye’s right ankle. Cabaye was carried off and replaced by Ezequiel Lavezzi in the 42nd.
Blanc rested Brazil defender Thiago Silva and Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani. PSG clinched its fourth league title on Wednesday despite losing 2-1 to Rennes.
Saint-Etienne made up ground in the race for the last Champions League berth by moving within two points of third-place Lille with a 3-1 win at Nantes. The team finishing third qualifies for the preliminary round of the Champions League.
Saint-Etienne striker Mevlut Erding opened the scoring by nodding in a free kick from Max-Alain Gradel in the 10th. The visitors took a 3-0 lead with a penalty from Gradel in the 23rd, and a curling shot from Erding on the stroke of halftime. Nantes winger Serge Gakpe scored late.
Second-place Monaco, already assured of a Champions League spot, beat relegated Valenciennes 2-1.
Fifth-place Lyon had its lead over Marseille cut to one point in the race for the last Europa League spot.
Lorient edged Lyon 1-0 with a low strike from midfielder Cheick Doukoure in the 53rd. Lyon was down to 10 men from the 13th when defender Mouhamadou Dabo was red-carded for tripping Bryan Pele.
“It’s a bad result,” Lyon coach Remi Garde said, “but we still have our fate in our hands.”
Marseille drew 1-1 at Bordeaux. Marseille midfielder Benoit Cheyrou headed in a cross from Brice Djadjedje in the 31st before Bordeaux striker Cheick Diabate equalized with a close-range effort in the 66th.
French Cup winner Guingamp secured safety by beating mid-table Toulouse 2-0.
Evian and Sochaux were the only teams still under the threat of relegation and will meet in the last round next Saturday.
“We have the luck to play this last match at home,” Sochaux coach Herve Renard said. “There will be a great atmosphere. It’s up to us to turn it into a beautiful day.”
Evian downed Nice 2-0 to stay 17th, one point clear of Sochaux, which won 2-1 at Rennes.
Last-place Ajaccio stunned Reims 2-1, and mid-table Bastia beat Montpellier 2-0.
