Bradley Barcola’s Brace Helps PSG Lift Coupe de France
In the first 45 minutes, Bradley Barcola scored a brace in three minutes to put Reims in a hole that they couldn’t climb out of.
The first goal from Barcola came in the 16th minute after an attack from Reims. Paris recovered and quickly pushed forward. Désiré Doué sent Barcola behind the defense, who perfectly beat Yehvann Diouf.
Barcola’s second goal came in the 19th minute after Reims was caught off guard. Marquinhos served Doué, who only had to set up Barcola as the PSG winger finished into the empty net.
Reims couldn’t get into halftime down two goals and regroup as Achraf Hakimi added PSG’s third goal of the half in the 43rd minute. On a small cross from Barcola, Hakimi appeared at the far post and slid the ball between Diouf’s legs.
PSG didn’t need to add any more goals coming out of the break as they held onto the clean sheet in the second half, and Reims failed to spark a comeback. After the match, Barcola spoke to France TV to share his thoughts on the capital club winning the Coupe de France for a second straight season under Luis Enrique.
“It’s a very beautiful evening. We quickly got the job done. We set the pace, and it paid off. We knew we had to do the work to prepare for the next final. For the next match, we will come in confident.”
After the loss to PSG, Diouf spoke to France TV and shared his thoughts on Reims not being able to finish off the run in the Coupe de France with a trophy.
“It’s one of the best teams in Europe. We tried to fight with our own weapons. We’re taking it one game at a time. By tonight, we’ll switch our focus to the Metz match. The end of the season is tough, we have to stick together. Thanks to the supporters, it’s a difficult season for them too. We gave it our all — I don’t think we have any regrets.”
PSG will enjoy the moment of winning another trophy. Still, they must turn the page as the Ligue 1 McDonald’s champions will play the UEFA Champions League final next weekend against Inter Milan.
The Parisians aren’t the only ones who need to shift their focus to another match. Reims will have the second leg of the relegation playoff tie, which is leveled one-all on aggregate, against FC Metz on Thursday at Stade Auguste-Delaune II.
The Stat: 6
After winning the Coupe de France against Reims, Enrique became the first coach in history to win his first six domestic competitions with a French club as manager:
Ligue 1 McDonald’s: 2024, 2025
Trophée des Champions: 2024, 2025
Coupe de France: 2024, 2025
Photo credit: @PSG_English
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