Players of AS Monaco celebrate after their match against Saint-Etienne of French Ligue 1 in Fontvieille, Monaco on May 17, 2017. AS Monaco won 2-0 and claimed the championship of the season in advance. (Xinhua/Serge Haouzi)
PARIS, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Monaco secured their first Ligue 1 title since 2000 with a 2-0 home win against Saint-Etienne in a rescheduled match on Wednesday.
Monaco have virtually won the title ahead of the rescheduled 31st round action, as they led defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, who had one game remaining, by three points with a far superior goal difference, and a draw with eighth-ranked Saint-Etienne would earn them a tight grip on the trophy.
Monaco took the lead through the 18-year-old sensation Kylian Mbappe, who collected Radamel Falcao's pass, broke the defense, and rounded goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier to score his 15th league goal of the season.
Substitute forward Valere Germain sealed the victory for Monaco with a shot at target on a counter-attack into stoppage time, also handing Monaco their eighth crown in French top-flight league.
The league was still haunted by an uncertainty of relegation, as Dijon, Caen, Lorient, Bastia and Nancy were involved in a battle to avoid being the last two teams after Saturday's finale.
