Edinson Cavani scores twice in win as PSG celebrate Ligue 1 title

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:16 am
Two goals from Edinson Cavani, left, guided PSG to a win in their final Ligue 1 match of the season.
Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images

Edinson Cavani scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain brought the curtain down on another Ligue 1 title triumph with a 3-2 victory over Reims.

The Uruguayan opened the scoring just after the half hour mark before Adrien Rabiot doubled the champions' advantage just before half-time although Aissa Mandi pulled one back.

Cavani restored the two-goal advantage in the 84th minute, meaning Grejohn Kiey's last-gasp effort was nothing more than a consolation for the visitors at the Parc des Princes.

PSG had already wrapped up the title while Reims' safety was already guaranteed, meaning neither side had anything to play for.

Yet PSG, who were without the rested Zlatan Ibrahimovic, started brightly, with Javier Pastore's low drive forcing a fine save from Reims goalkeeper Kossi Agassa.

Cavani then combined with Pastore before his strike forced another fine save from Agassa.

The two then linked up once more as Cavani this time opened the scoring in the 31st minute, with Pastore setting up his former Palermo teammate, who took the ball into the area before finishing with aplomb.

Cavani then turned provider a minute before the half-time as he provided the pass for Rabiot to break through on goal, with the 20-year-old making no mistake.

Reims pulled one back nine minutes after the interval when Franck Signorino sent in a cross that Mandi rose highest to head past Nicolas Douchez.

The PSG custodian managed to keep out a Signorino header to keep his side in front and it proved crucial as Cavani bagged his second to give the hosts some breathing space.

Ezequiel Lavezzi crossed for his former Napoli teammate to provide the finishing touch in the 84th minute, rendering Kiey's strike across Douchez in the closing moments inconsequential.