(Ligue 1 2023/2024): Highlights FC METZ - PSG

It was job long since done for the champions, Paris Saint-Germain on the final day. But much remained in the balance for their hosts, Ness. PSG in a world of their own at the top. Ness were also somewhat isolated, but just within touching distance of those above and below. In the relegation playoff spot, three points behind Loewe in 15th, but with the 11-goal swing required there, perhaps something of a pipe dream. Three points above Lorient with the 7-goal swing required in goal defence, very possible considering their opponents were the champions. Those of Les Mers-Loup were bottom side Clermont, and indeed they fell behind inside seven minutes. Paris without the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele. Stepping up instead, Carlos Soler, albeit perhaps unintentionally. In his cross, evading everybody, including Alexander Ukija, on his way to the top corner. The hosts had a big opportunity to equalise, only for Daniel Jean-Jacques to fire narrowly wide. That miss proved vital, as the visitors doubled their advantage shortly after, before the quarter-hour mark. Lee Kang-in tapping into an empty net. Unmarked in the middle, he was initially flagged offside. The VAR would intervene. The South Korean clearly on with the easiest of tasks to make it 2-0. Chances kept coming for the Parisians. Nice ball into the box. Flicked viciously. But well over in the end from Gonzalo Ramos. Lorient scoring two in the first half of their game. Mers-Loup have begun to worry. A combination of Maxime Collin and the crossbar would then prevent Noemi Mukielli from making it three. Which would prove to be invaluable on the final whistle. It could have been a lot worse for Laszlo Berlini and Co. at the break. 84% of the possession, making an average of 34.8 over the season, the lowest rate in one season since Opta Records began. Nonetheless, after the restart, they were far more positive and began to carve out more openings. Another for Jean-Jacques. Shortly after, an even better one. George Mikhail Tadze. Neat feet creating the space. Couldn't beat Kelon Avas. Costa Rican in his final game for Paris. Standing firm. The closest they came to beating him. It's courtesy of Lameen Kamara from a long way out. Down the woodwork. 2-0 will be the final score and crucially so for MERS. Lorient managing a 5-0 win. Relegated by the finest of margins due to the extra away goal scored during the head-to-heads. Survival still not secured over MERS, but the playoffs still to come.