Softfootball understands that Paris Saint-Germain had to wait, but Bradley Barcola eventually delivered as his late goal sealed a 1-0 win over a stubborn Auxerre side and sent the champions back to the top of the Ligue 1 table. It was PSG’s fifth straight league victory.
After the game, PSG shared a post about the result via their official X account.
Luis Enrique, looking to respond after Tuesday’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to Sporting CP, following their 3-0 Ligue 1 victory against Lille.
PSG almost made it count straight away. Inside two minutes, Barcola burst through on goal but hesitated at the wrong time, allowing Auxerre goalkeeper Donovan Léon to rush out and make a sprawling save.
Soon after, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia wriggled into the box, only for a last-second block to deny him a clear finish.
Auxerre somehow survived the early pressure and slowly found their feet. With survival on their minds, the hosts defended deep and relied heavily on Léon, who stayed alert to parry Gonçalo Ramos’ header and block a low effort from Ibrahim Mbaye.
Considering PSG had already scored 18 first-half goals this season, reaching the break level felt like a small victory for Auxerre.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Barcola dragged a shot wide, while Auxerre threatened sporadically, Danny Namaso firing over and Lassine Sinayoko curling just off target.
Enrique turned to Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué after the hour, clearly unhappy with the lack of cutting edge.
Barcola, PSG’s liveliest attacker all night, finally made the difference 11 minutes from time. Latching onto Dembélé’s through ball, he delicately dinked the finish past Léon, who got a touch but couldn’t keep it out. It was Barcola’s seventh league goal of the campaign.
Auxerre pushed late, but PSG managed the closing stages to move two points clear of RC Lens. For the hosts, it was another frustrating night, leaving them second-bottom and still searching for answers after yet another defeat.
