PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain outclassed in-form Lyon on Sunday, winning 3-1 to extend their lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table to seven points.
Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring at the Parc des Princes and Vitinha added a penalty as PSG raced into a two-goal lead in what was expected to be one of the biggest tests of their credentials domestically this season.
Georges Mikautadze pulled one back for Lyon before the break but they never really looked like equalising and substitute Goncalo Ramos wrapped up the points for PSG late on.
The win for Paris comes after nearest challengers Marseille and Monaco were both held to draws on Saturday, putting them in an even stronger position to go on and retain their title.
PSG now head to Monaco on Wednesday in a rearranged fixture which will give them the chance to finish 2024 with a 10-point advantage over their nearest rivals.
Earlier in France, Champions League surprise package Brest followed their latest famous European win in midweek by hammering Nantes 4-1.
First-half goals by Kamory Doumbia and captain Brendan Chardonnet set Brest on their way in Brittany, and Abdallah Sima added a late brace after Douglas Augusto had pulled a goal back for Nantes.
It was a much-needed victory for Brest, who had lost four of their previous five games in Ligue 1 but are up into mid-table, six points clear of the bottom three.
The Pirates qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history by finishing third in Ligue 1 last season.
A 1-0 home win over PSV Eindhoven in midweek was, remarkably, their fourth victory in six outings in Europe’s elite club competition — they are currently on course to qualify directly for the last 16.
Eric Roy’s team were back in their Stade Francis-Le Ble home for Sunday’s game, with the club forced to host Champions League matches over an hour away in Guingamp because their own stadium does not meet UEFA requirements.
Bottom club Montpellier came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Nice, while Le Havre — also in the relegation zone — lost 3-0 at home to Strasbourg.
Jorge Sampaoli’s struggling Rennes defeated Angers 2-0.
PSG beat Lyon to extend lead in Ligue 1
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PSG beat Lyon to extend lead in Ligue 1
- PSG now head to Monaco on Wednesday in a rearranged fixture which will give them the chance to finish 2024 with a 10-point advantage over their nearest rivals
Golf Saudi ambassador Charley Hull seals thrilling victory to clinch PIF Saudi Ladies International
- World No. 5’s 60-foot eagle proves decisive in dramatic final round surge
RIYADH: Charley Hull carded a seven-under 65 in the final round of the $5 million PIF Saudi Ladies International to be crowned the champion of the Ladies European Tour season opener.
Hull proved her affection for Riyadh Golf Club once again — she previously won here in 2024 and three further top 10s in the Saudi capital — scrambling through a packed field, posting seven birdies and an eagle on the par five 12th courtesy of a 60-foot putt.
The 29-year-old, who now has five LET wins to her name, had a nervy wait after holing a birdie putt on her 72nd hole of the week to post the clubhouse lead in the first PIF Global Series event of the year.
Clutching the trophy, Hull said: “I feel great, and I love this golf course, and I like how it’s really matured over the years. It’s getting trickier each year. The grass is getting thicker, and I just really like it. It was a good challenge.
“I’ve worked really hard this off-season, so it’s nice to see results straight away. It’s one of the bigger events on the LET, and it feels like a home event for me because I’m a Golf Saudi ambassador. So, it’s really special to win for my sponsors.”
South Africa’s Casandra Alexander made her own back-nine charge for the title, birdieing four out of a five-hole stretch between 11-15. A bogey on the par three 17th left the 26-year-old, who contested a Sunshine Tour playoff just last week, needing a birdie to force another one, but the crucial putt missed its mark, finishing runner-up for the second week in a row alongside Japan’s Akie Iwai.
Spain’s Carlota Ciganda made a consistent start to the season with an opening round of 67, followed by three 68s to tie for fourth with third-round co-leader Hye-Jin Choi from Korea.
England’s prodigious Mimi Rhodes, who led the field after the first two rounds but lost ground with a score of level par on Friday, rallied with a convincing five-under par 67 to finish joint sixth.
The PIF Global Series heads to Las Vegas for its second stop, making a historic West Coast debut. This event signals the first time both the PIF Global Series and the Aramco Championship will be hosted in the region, bringing elite-level competition to one of the world’s premier sports and entertainment destinations. Scheduled from April 2–5, the tournament will see players competing for a prestigious $4 million prize fund.
