PSG Send Warning Shot with Ruthless 5-0 Win Over Auxerre
If you wanted proof that PSG look unstoppable in Ligue 1 this season, just check what happened when they met Auxerre. On November 13, 2022, at the Parc des Princes, PSG delivered a five-goal masterclass, putting their rivals on notice as they went into the World Cup break on top—with daylight between them and the chasing pack.
The tone got set early. Kylian Mbappé, who never needs much of a warm-up, found the back of the net in the 11th minute. It was classic PSG: a slick move, Messi working the defense, a burst from Nuno Mendes, and then Mbappé latching on to the finish. That goal put him clear as Ligue 1’s leading scorer with his 12th of the campaign. Auxerre just never recovered from that blow.
PSG kept their foot firmly on the gas pedal. Carlos Soler, a summer signing finding his rhythm, made it two right after the break. Just six minutes later, Achraf Hakimi raced up from right-back and slotted home for the third, blowing the match even wider open. By now, the Auxerre defense looked desperate to hear the final whistle, but PSG weren’t done.
Substitute Renato Sanches got in on the act, bagging the fourth in the 81st minute after a sharp move down the flank. Then Hugo Ekitike, another face eager to prove himself, capped off the scoring with a well-taken finish a few minutes from time. Every goal felt like a different PSG player trying to make his mark before heading off for international duty.
Champions’ Depth and Discipline Before Qatar
This wasn’t just a win—it was the statement PSG wanted before the World Cup turned the football world upside down. Manager Christophe Galtier couldn’t have asked for anything more. "It was perfect," he said after the match, clearly relieved that his big-three forwards—Messi, Mbappé, and Neymar—got through unscathed with the World Cup literally days away.
There’s always a risk at this point in the season: fatigue, injuries, or players taking their eye off the ball. But PSG played with real focus. Not a single sign of anxiety from the likes of Mbappé, who’ll be carrying France’s hopes at the World Cup, or Messi, who has Argentina’s dreams on his shoulders.
This result leaves PSG five points clear at the Ligue 1 summit. Their dominance was obvious not just in the scoreline, but in every area of the pitch: they pressed high, created chances in waves, and barely let Auxerre out of their own half for long stretches. The lead at the top feels like something they won’t relinquish for a while.
- Kylian Mbappé finishes the first half of the Ligue 1 season as the league’s top scorer.
- Messi, Mbappé, and Neymar all completed the match injury-free—huge relief given the upcoming international tournament.
- PSG’s depth on display, with five different players finding the net.
With this kind of momentum, PSG’s rivals must be wondering how anyone can catch them on current form. As players head off to Qatar, the Parisians have made it clear: Ligue 1 is theirs to lose.
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