Paris Saint-Germain secured an easy 2-0 victory over Le Mans on Tuesday to reach the French Cup quarterfinals.
The Ligue 1 giants showed their strength, even with a rotated squad, proving why they are favorites to lift their 16th French Cup title.
PSG Dominate from Start to Finish
The match started with PSG in full control, dictating play and pushing Le Mans deep into their own half.
It took just 25 minutes for the Parisians to break the deadlock. Desire Doue capitalized on poor Le Mans defending to put his side ahead. The hosts struggled to recover from that early setback.
Despite Le Mans’ attempts to fight back, PSG remained comfortable. The defending champions kept possession well, limiting their opponents’ chances.
In the 71st minute, Bradley Barcola doubled PSG’s lead with a composed finish. That goal sealed the win, ensuring their smooth passage into the next round.
Kimpembe’s Triumphant Return
A special moment came in the 81st minute when France international defender Presnel Kimpembe stepped onto the pitch.
The PSG star made his long-awaited return after a two-year injury absence. His presence on the field was a welcome boost for the team ahead of a crucial run of fixtures in February.
Coach Luis Enrique Praises His Team
After the game, PSG coach Luis Enrique expressed his satisfaction with the performance. He praised his team’s depth and maturity. “Our team is mature and has resources. I’m lucky to have this team with me,” he said.
He also highlighted the contributions of Gonçalo Ramos and Bradley Barcola, emphasizing the importance of squad rotation.
“We have to give confidence to all the players. The level is increasing and is high,” he added. Enrique made it clear that he wants his squad to remain competitive across all competitions.
“I am not here to give minutes as a gift. We want to win all competitions. I really like this team.”
French Cup Shock as Dunkerque Stuns Lille
While PSG cruised through, there was a huge upset elsewhere. Dunkerque, a fourth-tier side, shocked Ligue 1 outfit Lille on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw.
Lille had dominated the game and thought they had won after Andre Gomes scored in the 85th minute. But a last-gasp equalizer from Dutch striker Kay Tejan sent the game to penalties.
Dunkerque’s goalkeeper, Ewen Jaouen, produced a heroic performance in the shootout. His crucial saves helped his side win 5-4 on penalties, sending shockwaves through the competition.
Brest Snatches Late Win Over Troyes
Another thrilling Coupe de France match saw Brest edge out Troyes with a last-minute 2-1 victory. Ibrahim Salah put Brest ahead in the 49th minute, but an own goal from Hugo Magnetti gave Troyes a lifeline.
Just when the game seemed headed for extra time, Abdallah Sima produced a stunning winner deep into stoppage time. The victory secured Brest’s place in the quarterfinals, setting up a highly anticipated clash with PSG.
What’s Next for PSG?
PSG will now shift their focus back to Ligue 1 and the Champions League knockout phase. The Parisians will face Brest next Tuesday in the first leg of their European tie.
They already defeated Brest 5-2 in the league last weekend, so they will be confident of another strong performance.
With stars like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Warren Zaïre-Emery leading the way, PSG remains a dominant force in all competitions.
Fans will be hoping they can go all the way in both domestic and European tournaments this season.
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