Stade Brestois 29 2-5 Paris Saint-Germain: Dembélé's hat-trick powers PSG to victory over Brest
Paris Saint-Germain extended their unbeaten run at the top of Ligue 1 with a commanding 5-2 victory over Brest on Saturday, thanks to Ousmane Dembélé’s second hat-trick in a week and a late brace from Gonçalo Ramos.
The reigning champions secured their 15th league win of the season, taking them to 50 points from 20 matches, 13 clear of second-placed Olympique de Marseille, who have a game in hand. Brest remain in eighth place with 28 points.
"I'm well placed, I'm in the role of number nine and I have to score goals. It was a game where I played a bit of a carrot behind the defence," Dembélé said after his sensational performance, which saw him rise to the top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts with 14 goals.
Brest started brightly, with Abdallah Sima creating early chances for Ludovic Ajorque, only for PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to intervene. Ajorque squandered another opportunity in the 18th minute, firing wide from Sima’s pass.
However, PSG soon imposed their dominance. Fabian Ruiz set up Bradley Barcola on the left flank, who delivered a precise pass for Dembélé to tap into an empty net just before the half-hour mark, giving the visitors the lead.
Despite PSG’s control, Romain Del Castillo leveled for Brest early in the second half, capitalizing on a deflected clearance to fire past Donnarumma.
PSG responded swiftly. In the 52nd minute, Dembélé restored the lead, slotting home after a deflected shot from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fell kindly into his path.
Five minutes later, the French winger completed his hat-trick in style. After Lee Kang-In danced past two defenders with a brilliant turn, he set up Dembélé for a clinical finish inside the box.
"I think you have to congratulate the team and especially the passers. Because on the first goal, all I had to do was push it home. And on the third, Kang-In's pass was exceptional," Dembélé said.
Brest refused to back down, and Ajorque finally got his goal in the 71st minute with a stunning strike from outside the box. The hosts pushed for a late equalizer, but PSG’s firepower proved too strong.
Substitute Gonçalo Ramos, who replaced Dembélé in the 67th minute, made his mark in the 89th minute, finishing off a superb counterattack led by Desire Doué. He added his second goal in stoppage time, reacting quickly after Brendan Chardonnet blocked his initial pass.
With 50 points from 20 games, PSG remain firm favorites to clinch their fourth consecutive Ligue 1 title. They will next host Monaco on Friday, while Brest visit Nantes the same day.
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