Bradley Barcola’s late finish gave Paris Saint-Germain a 1-0 win at Auxerre and returned the champions to the top of Ligue 1. The result moved PSG back above Lens, who meet Marseille on Saturday, after
a match where Luis Enrique’s side created far more chances than the hosts.
A tactical shift in the second half changed the tempo for PSG vs Auxerre, as substitutes Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue added fresh energy in attack. Dembele repeatedly stretched Auxerre’s defence, while Doue found space between the lines, helping PSG maintain pressure during the closing stages.
The decisive moment in PSG vs Auxerre arrived in the 79th minute from a fast counter-attack. Dembele carried the ball with speed and slipped a pass through to Barcola. The winger stayed calm, this time guiding a low shot past Donovan Leon to secure the three points for PSG.
Earlier in the half, Barcola had wasted a clear opening when Dembele again sent the winger through on goal. Barcola failed to convert that chance, dragging the effort off target. Doue later missed from close range after Barcola’s low cross, unable to sort out the first touch in front of an empty net.
Auxerre goalkeeper Donovan Leon kept the match level for a long time in PSG vs Auxerre. Leon produced a double stop in the second minute to deny Barcola. The goalkeeper then tipped away a header from Goncalo Ramos and reacted well to efforts from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ibrahim Mbaye from close range.
PSG controlled most of the first half, pushing Auxerre deep and moving the ball quickly across midfield. Auxerre struggled to build attacks and failed to test Gianluigi Donnarumma. Danny Namaso offered a brief response after the break, firing just over the bar from the edge of the area.
Three points in Auxerre!#AJAPSG I @Ligue1_ENG pic.twitter.com/nTqmIXKhwEParis Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 23, 2026
PSG vs Auxerre: Key numbers and Vitinha’s control
The data underlined PSG’s control of PSG vs Auxerre. Luis Enrique’s team produced 1.93 expected goals from 16 shots. Auxerre finished with only 0.27 expected goals from eight attempts. None of Auxerre’s efforts hit the target, while PSG kept Leon busy throughout the match.
Barcola remained dangerous all evening, registering a match-high five shots and constant runs into space. Yet midfielder Vitinha may have been PSG’s most influential player. Vitinha created four chances, completed 104 passes, made 129 touches and recorded four interceptions, shaping the rhythm on both sides of the ball.
The occasion also marked a milestone in PSG vs Auxerre for Warren Zaire-Emery. Aged 19 years and 321 days, Zaire-Emery became the third-youngest player to reach 100 Ligue 1 appearances since Opta records began in 1947-48. Only Basile Boli and Richard Krawczyk reached the landmark at a younger age.
PSG’s narrow victory at Auxerre combined patient attacking play with defensive control, as Donnarumma did not face a shot on target. The win restored first place in Ligue 1 ahead of Lens, while also highlighting the growing impact of Barcola, Vitinha and Zaire-Emery within Luis Enrique’s evolving squad.
