Kylian Mbappe struck a brace and Christopher Nkunku added a late third as Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday marched into the Coupe de France final thanks to 3-1 win at Stade Malherbe Caen.
PSG traveled to the Normandy coast with the Ligue 1 title already wrapped up and looking to take another step toward what would be a record fourth consecutive Coupe triumph if they beat third-division Les Herbiers VF at the Stade de France on May 8.
However, while dominant throughout, Unai Emery’s men were kept on their toes in an often messy encounter in which they had one goal chalked off by the video assistant referee (VAR) and Mbappe’s second falling under scrutiny before it was confirmed nine minutes from time.
PSG should have opened the scoring early, but Angel di Maria saw a weak, rolled shot collected by goalkeeper Brice Samba on 17 minutes.
However, despite poor pitch conditions, the French champions were quickly into their stride with Mbappe, outstanding on the night, opening the scoring on 21 minutes.
A textbook move from midfield saw Edinson Cavani in possession to the left of the area. When the Uruguayan striker rolled across the area, Samba misjudged his lunge to leave Mbappe with an easy tap in from close range.
PSG were firmly in control against a Caen side reeling from four consecutive league defeats.
However, Patrice Garande’s men pounced to level shortly before halftime.
PSG’s defense stepped back amid a Caen offensive and when a deflected shot fell to Ismael Diomande, his shot deflected off Adrien Rabiot to leave Kevin Trapp snatching for thin air.
PSG replied moments after the second half began after a defensive blunder by Damien da Silva saw Cavani add his name to the score sheet.
It was ruled out for offside, Di Maria the culprit.
However, with the clock ticking down, Caen’s hopes of taking the tie into extra-time were dashed by yet another textbook move that saw PSG restore their lead.
Again, VAR was used to check whether Cavani was offside when he ran on to a slick backheel by Di Maria and rolled across the area for Mbappe to fire past Samba nine minutes from time.
This time, the goal stood.
PSG added a third in the final minute of stoppage-time after Nkunku completed a great one-two to run through and leave Samba with no chance.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break, the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to
The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as Karoline Kristensen entered for her performance. However, this was no ordinary Dutch theater: The temperature was 80°C and the audience naked apart from a towel. Dressed in a swimsuit and to the tune of emotional music, the 21-year-old Kristensen started her routine, performed inside a large sauna, with a bed of hot rocks in the middle. For a week this month, a group of wellness practitioners, called “sauna masters,” are gathering at a picturesque health resort in the Netherlands to compete in this year’s Aufguss world sauna championships. The practice takes its name from a
Japanese players are moving to English soccer in record numbers and more look set to follow with clubs attracted by their quality, strong work ethic and value for money. Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared with the past. “The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer, but just saying this or
Taiwan yesterday survived Bosnia and Herzegovina to win their Davis Cup World Group I tie at the Taipei Tennis Center. The tight series started on Saturday with world No. 123 Jason Tseng losing 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to Mirza Basic in the opening singles matchup. However, teammate Tony Wu kept the tie even, dominating world No. 86 Damir Dzumhur 6-2, 6-1. Yesterday, 24-year-old Ray Ho and partner 25-year-old Hsu Yu-hsiou kept up the momentum, making short work of Basic and Nerman Fatic, winning 6-3, 6-4. Tseng then suffered another defeat, losing 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to Dzumhur in a brutal match that lasted more than two