French Cup 2024-25: Paris Saint-Germain makes quarterfinals as Lille gets beaten by second-division side

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain eased into the French Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Le Mans as Dunkerque shocked Lille on penalties and Brest earned a last-gasp 2-1 win over Troyes.

Defending champion and solid Ligue 1 leader, PSG lined out with an overhauled side ahead of a busy February in which it is also through to the Champions League knockout phase playoffs.

Desire Doue opened the scoring after 25 minutes after poor Le Mans defending before Bradley Barcola slotted in the second after 71 minutes.

France international defender Presnel Kimpembe made his return after a two-year injury absence coming onto the pitch after 81 minutes.

Although winter recruit Khvicha Kvaratskhelia still needs time to adapt to Luis Enrique’s game, the Parisians lived up to their tag as favourites to lift their 16th French Cup trophy.

Ligue 1 side Lille lost a match that it dominated largely due to squandered chances against Dunkerque, fourth in Ligue 2.

Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes had put Lille ahead after 85 minutes before Dutch striker Kay Tejan equalised after 96 minutes of play to force a penalty shootout.

An enormous performance from Dunkerque goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen ensured a 5-4 penalty win to put the northern port side through.

Brest, eighth in Ligue 1, is also through with Abdallah Sima scoring a last-gasp winner for the Brittany side.

Ibrahim Salah had opened after 49 minutes but Hugo Magnetti bundled into his own net to throw Troyes a lifeline six minutes later.

Sima sealed victory for Eric Roy’s men in added time by taking a free kick with the outside of his foot.

Brest face PSG next Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 play-off having lost 5-2 to it in Ligue 1 at the weekend. Agencies

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