Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain closed in on the Ligue 1 title with a close-fought 2-1 win over Auxerre.

The France captain struck a brace inside the opening eight minutes at Stade de l'Abbe-Deschamps, who responded through Lassine Sinayoko in the second half.

Reigning champions PSG subsequently regain their six-point cushion at the Ligue 1 summit, and require just one point from their final two games to successfully defend their crown.

Meanwhile, 16th-place Auxerre remain just a point above the relegation zone after suffering their first defeat in eight home matches.

Mbappe broke the deadlock in the sixth minute, latching onto Fabian Ruiz’s pass and exquisitely twisting and turning away from his marker before poking a shot into the top corner.

The France captain doubled his side’s advantage two minutes later, bending in a brilliant first-time effort from 20 yards after Hugo Ekitike neatly dummied Lionel Messi's pass.

Messi also went close for the visitors when he shot straight at Ionut Radu, but it was not all one-way traffic as the hosts threatened through Rayan Raveloson, who rattled the crossbar from 25 yards out.

Auxerre pulled a goal back six minutes after the restart. Nuno da Costa flicked Radu's long goal kick into the path of Sinayoko, who raced away from the defence before drilling past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Mbappe looked to have found his hat-trick late in injury time, only for VAR to overrule his finish, but PSG side clung on regardless to move closer to another triumph.

What does it mean? PSG on the brink

A victory for second-place Lens over Lorient earlier on Sunday meant PSG could not mathematically win the Ligue 1 title here.

But with just a single point needed from their last two outings – and with a far superior goal difference to their rivals (16) – an 11th domestic crown is all but theirs.

Quickfire Mbappe brace

The forward took his Ligue 1 tally for the campaign to 28 goals – matching his 2021-22 haul – after netting twice in the space of just two minutes and 14 seconds at Stade de l'Abbe-Deschamps.

It was the second-fastest brace of the France captain’s career after his double in the World Cup final against Argentina earlier this season (one minute and 35 seconds).

Ton up for Galtier

Galtier’s future may be uncertain, but his place in Ligue 1 history is assured as he notched up his 100th away victory as a manager in the French top flight.

He became only the third coach to reach triple figures after Albert Batteux (138) and Guy Roux (105).

Key Opta stats

- PSG claimed a 14th away win of the season, the joint-highest tally among any side in the big five European leagues along with Napoli.

- Fabian Ruiz has been involved in a goal in each of this last three Ligue 1 games, the longest such run of his career in the big five European leagues.

- After his assist tonight, Nuno da Costa has been involved in five goals in his six Ligue 1 games against PSG, more than against any other team in the top-flight.

What’s next?

PSG travel to Strasbourg on Saturday knowing a draw will be enough to secure the Ligue 1 title. Meanwhile, on the same day, Auxerre look to boost their survival hopes away at Toulouse.