Paris Saint-Germain made sure there were no surprises in their Coupe de France clash against Le Mans, securing a comfortable 2-0 victory at the Stade Marie-Marvingt to book their place in the quarter-finals.
Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola found the back of the net on either side of halftime, sealing PSG’s progression in a match that also marked the long-awaited return of Presnel Kimpembe from injury. The Ligue 1 giants dominated possession and controlled the tempo throughout, ensuring a professional performance against their third-tier opponents.
Match Recap
Le Mans started brightly, showing no signs of intimidation against the defending champions. Theo Eyoum came close early on, firing a shot into the side-netting, which served as a brief warning for PSG. However, Luis Enrique’s side quickly settled into the match, asserting their dominance through fluid passing and relentless pressing.
The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Goncalo Ramos pressed high to win the ball on the edge of the box. The loose ball fell kindly to Desire Doue, who drilled a precise low shot into the bottom-left corner, leaving Le Mans goalkeeper Ewan Hatfout with no chance.
Despite PSG’s control, Le Mans almost snatched an equalizer before halftime. A moment of uncertainty from Matvey Safonov saw the ball fall to Antoine Rabillard, whose header narrowly sailed over the crossbar.
After the break, PSG continued to pile on the pressure, creating several chances. Their persistence paid off in the 71st minute when substitute Bradley Barcola latched onto an inch-perfect pass from Nuno Mendes, expertly lifting the ball over Hatfout to double PSG’s advantage.
The Parisians nearly added a third goal as Achraf Hakimi forced a sharp save from Hatfout, while Safonov made amends for his earlier error with a stunning late save to deny Dame Gueye’s acrobatic attempt.
Key Stats and Takeaways
- Dominance in Possession: PSG’s superiority was evident as they controlled possession, dictated the tempo, and limited Le Mans to just a handful of attempts on goal.
- Substitutes Shine: The impact from the bench proved decisive, with Barcola, Hakimi, and Vitinha combining for a higher expected goals (xG) than the starting eleven. Barcola’s goal and Hakimi’s late threat highlighted the depth in PSG’s squad.
- Passing Masterclass: Brazilian defender Beraldo delivered an outstanding performance, completing all 110 of his passes—a feat matched only by Thiago Motta in the past decade for PSG in a game with 100% passing accuracy.
- Presnel Kimpembe’s Return: The French defender’s return from injury provided a huge boost, showcasing PSG’s strengthening squad depth as the season enters its crucial phase.
What’s Next for PSG?
With this win, PSG move one step closer to securing their 16th Coupe de France title. Having faced early exits in the past two seasons at this stage, this victory reaffirms their determination to reclaim domestic cup glory.
PSG will now await the draw to determine their next opponent in the quarter-finals. Their focus will also shift back to Ligue 1 and the Champions League, where Luis Enrique’s men aim to maintain momentum across all competitions.
Final Score:
Le Mans 0-2 Paris Saint-Germain
(Goals: Doue 25’, Barcola 71’)
