Paris Saint-Germain continues to blaze its trail in the Coupe de France after overcoming Brest (3-1) in the round of 16 while Lyon pulled off a nice coup by getting rid of Lille (2-1) on Wednesday, February 7.
Just a week before the first leg of the Champions League against Real Sociedad on February 14 at the Parc des Princes, Paris left no room for doubt against the third-placed Ligue 1 team and enjoyed themselves in front of their home crowd. Led by a very lively Kylian Mbappé, who scored the first goal, the French champions were at times shaken by Brestois but this adversity did not prevent them from putting on a show.
Ten days ago, Brest had managed to level the score at the Parc after being led 2-0. This time, PSG were relentless and did not falter despite the reduction in score in the second half by the Bretons. Their hopes were definitively dashed following the red card shown to Lilian Brassier, who was guilty of two huge fouls on Mbappé.
Luis Enrique took the opportunity to recover two key players ahead of the big European showdown, with Ousmane Dembélé, involved in two PSG goals and returning after feeling muscle discomfort last week, and Moroccan Achraf Hakimi, back from the AFCON.
It’s now up to the capital club to negotiate Lille’s reception well on Saturday in the league before moving on to their duel with Real Sociedad.
On Lyon’s side, the excitement continues. After beating OM in Ligue 1 on Sunday (1-0) and pulling out of the relegation zone, Lyon eliminated Lille at home (2-1), with results that for the moment validate the winter transfer window carried out by the officials.
Nice, PSG’s runner-up, did not spare Montpellier, winning 4-1.
Strasbourg also emerged victorious from the other showdown between Ligue 1 teams, sidelining Le Havre (3-1) who finished the game with ten men after Daler Kouziaïev’s expulsion.
For the underdog Saint-Priest, a fifth-tier team (N3), the adventure came to an end against Valenciennes (L2) despite a brave resistance (2-1).
The feat instead came from Puy (N2), who defeated Laval, fourth in L2 (2-1). On Tuesday, Rennes made short work of Sochaux (6-1).
The ultimate match of the round of 16 will see Rouen (N) against Monaco on Thursday (8:45 pm), following the draw for the quarter-finals (8 pm).
