Recap: PSG need pens to see off Lens in Coupe de France
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PSG keeper Matvey Safonov shone in a penalty shootout to see PSG edge through to the Coupe de France round of 32 against RC Lens.
French football rounded off 2024 with the Round of 64 of the Coupe de France, with Paris Saint-Germain travelling to Lens on Sunday evening. After a 1-1 draw in normal time, the two sides headed to penalties, and Les Parisiens' keeper Matvey Safonov shone to help the away side win (3-4).
Luis Enrique's side faced a challenging side in Will Still's Lens before the end of the year, and he took it seriously with Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes all starting the game alongside PSG's usual starters. Lens began the game in an organised fashion, with M'Bala Nzola having to be stopped by Paco early on. PSG then carved out the first chance of the game via Désiré Doué's low cross to Achraf Hakimi, but the Moroccan full-back's strike was ruled out for offside (25').
Przemyslaw Frankowski then had his shot blocked by the Parisian defence. The capital club then tried to maintain their grip on the match, and Marquinhos rattled the crossbar when he volleyed home Lee Kang-In's corner (39'). Just before the break, the home side hit back through Adrien Thomasson, who burst into the area and opened up a shooting opportunity that was quickly closed down by a vigilant Parisian rearguard.
The start of the second half was more free-flowing, with more speed in the passing game and more space for both sides to exploit. But neither Ousmane Dembélé nor Désiré Doué were able to take advantage for the away side. The ball went from one end to the other, and Lens' response was immediate with a counter-attack led by Angelo Fulgini, who pounced on the ball and unleashed a shot that skimmed Matvey Safonov's upright (54'). The difference was finally made from a set-piece, when Abdukodir Khusanov latched onto a deflected ball at the near post to beat the Parisian defence and open the scoring (66').
Les Parisiens would fight back and then grab an equaliser via Gonçalo Ramos, who pivoted and buried the ball past Hervé Koffi (70'). Neither side could make the difference in the closing minutes, as the clash would inevitably go to penalties. Vitinha, Ramos, Dembélé, and Barcola all hit the target. Then Safenov would prove decisive, saving spot kicks from Nzola and Diouf to send PSG through to the next round.
Les Parisiens booked their spot in the next round, where they will face fifth tier side Espaly following a winter break over Christmas and New Year.
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