Paris St-Germain moved five points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with a dominant display to see off Auxerre in their final match before the break for the World Cup.
They opened the scoring in the 11th minute at the Parc des Princes when Lionel Messi played a lovely chipped ball over the top to Nuno Mendes, who found Kylian Mbappe in the middle and the France striker volleyed home.
For all PSG’s possession, that was one of only two shots in the first half, which was their lowest total in a league game since May 2021.
The cutting edge came in the second half as Carlos Soler doubled the lead with a deft header from a Mendes cross, before putting Achraf Hakimi through to coolly stroke in the third.
With Auxerre tiring, the hosts added two more goals in the final nine minutes.
Renato Sanches, left out of the Portugal World Cup squad earlier in the week, produced a tidy finish for the fourth and, with six minutes left, Hugo Ekitike caught Julian Jeanvier dallying on the ball, nipped in and slotted past visiting keeper Benoit Costil.
Victory meant PSG, who have won 13 and drawn two of their first 15 league games, re-established a five-point gap between themselves and second-placed Lens, with Rennes a further five points back.
Line-ups
PSG
Formation 4-3-1-2
- 99G Donnarumma
- 2Hakimi
- 26Mukiele
- 4RamosSubstituted forKimpembeat 75′minutes
- 25Nuno Mendes
- 28SolerSubstituted forRenato Sanchesat 61′minutes
- 15Danilo
- 6VerrattiSubstituted forZaïre-Emeryat 82′minutes
- 10NeymarSubstituted forEkitikeat 75′minutes
- 30MessiSubstituted forSarabiaat 75′minutes
- 7Mbappé
Substitutes
- 3Kimpembe
- 14Bernat
- 16Rico
- 17Vitinha
- 18Renato Sanches
- 19Sarabia
- 31Bitshiabu
- 33Zaïre-Emery
- 44Ekitike
Auxerre
Formation 5-4-1
- 23Costil
- 26JolySubstituted forHeinat 57′minutes
- 97Raveloson
- 4Mendes Júnior
- 27JeanvierSubstituted forat 88′minutes
- 14Mensah
- 17SinayokoSubstituted forPerrinat 58′minutes
- 22SakhiSubstituted forM’Changamaat 84′minutes
- 12Touré
- 29AutretSubstituted forCharbonnierat 69′minutes
- 11NiangSubstituted forda Costa Jóiaat 58′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Bernard
- 6M’Changama
- 7Hein
- 8Camara
- 9da Costa Jóia
- 10Perrin
- 16Léon
- 19Charbonnier
- 32Bain
- Referee:
- Thomas Leonard
- Attendance:
- 45,000
Live Text
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Match ends, Paris Saint Germain 5, Auxerre 0.
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Second Half ends, Paris Saint Germain 5, Auxerre 0.
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Attempt missed. Nordi Mukiele (Paris Saint Germain) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Pablo Sarabia with a cross following a set piece situation.
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Hugo Ekitike (Paris Saint Germain) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Gauthier Hein (Auxerre).
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Julian Jeanvier went off injured after Auxerre had used all subs.
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Goal! Paris Saint Germain 5, Auxerre 0. Hugo Ekitike (Paris Saint Germain) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner.
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Substitution, Auxerre. Youssouf M’Changama replaces Hamza Sakhi.
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Offside, Paris Saint Germain. Pablo Sarabia tries a through ball, but Kylian Mbappé is caught offside.
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Foul by Nordi Mukiele (Paris Saint Germain).
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Nuno da Costa (Auxerre) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Substitution, Paris Saint Germain. Warren Zaïre-Emery replaces Marco Verratti.
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Goal! Paris Saint Germain 4, Auxerre 0. Renato Sanches (Paris Saint Germain) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Hugo Ekitike.
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Attempt saved. Renato Sanches (Paris Saint Germain) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Hugo Ekitike.
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Substitution, Paris Saint Germain. Presnel Kimpembe replaces Sergio Ramos.
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Substitution, Paris Saint Germain. Hugo Ekitike replaces Neymar.
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Substitution, Paris Saint Germain. Pablo Sarabia replaces Lionel Messi.
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Attempt saved. Gaetan Perrin (Auxerre) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Birama Touré.
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Renato Sanches (Paris Saint Germain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Julian Jeanvier (Auxerre).
