PSG clinches league title after Monaco draw French Cup holder Guingamp
PARIS --
Paris Saint-Germain clinched its second straight French league title on Wednesday after rival Monaco drew 1-1 against French Cup holder Guingamp.
Second-place Monaco is seven points behind PSG and has only two matches remaining. PSG, which has played a game less, was hosting Rennes at home later Wednesday.
Monaco looked to have delayed PSG's title celebrations for a little longer when forward Dimitar Berbatov headed home in the 77th minute, but Guingamp substitute Fatih Atik equalized with a volley in the 85th.
PSG, which was formed in 1970, has won four league titles. The club has invested massively in star players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Javier Pastore and Edinson Cavani, since Qatari investors, QSI, bought the club three years ago.
PSG's players were all smiles, shook hands in the tunnel and did high-fives before they took the field for their match at Parc des Princes, with the crowd roaring in delight upon hearing the news from Stade Louis II that Monaco had drawn.
In a tight first half, Guingamp almost surprised the home side when Lionel Mathis set up fellow midfielder Thibault Giresse - the son of the former France midfielder, Alain Giresse - and his shot was well saved by goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.
Berbatov looked visibly angry when, in the 55th, midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia tried his luck from 25 yards (meters) rather than pass to him in a better position.
Ten minutes later, winger James Rodriguez picked out midfielder Joao Moutinho, but his tame header was easily saved by Mamadou Samassa, who then saved Berbatov's near-post effort moments later.
But the former Bulgaria forward broke Guingamp's resistance when he headed in from close range after substitute Nabil Dirar's crossed from the right, taking his tally to nine in 14 games since joining from Premier League side Fulham on a six-month deal in January.
However, slack defending let in Guingamp, and Atik was left unmarked to volley in a loose ball inside the penalty area.
The draw gives 16th-place Guingamp a vital point in its relegation scrap, moving it two points above Sochaux in 18th spot.
