Hot topics close

Doue, Barcola secure 2-0 win at Le Mans as PSG reach French Cup ...

Doue Barcola secure 20 win at Le Mans as PSG reach French Cup
Paris St Germain reached the French Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday, with Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola scoring in each half to earn a 2-0 win at third-tier Le Mans.
Paris Saint-Germain's Moroccan midfielder #12 Achraf Hakimi (center right) fights for the ball with Le Mans' French defender #03 Theo Eyoum (center left) during the French Cup (Coupe de France) round of 16 football match between Le Mans FC and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Marie-Marvingt Stadium in Le Mans, western France, on Feb 4, 2025. (PHOTO / AFP)

LE MANS, France - Paris St Germain reached the French Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday, with Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola scoring in each half to earn a 2-0 win at third-tier Le Mans.

"It was a typical Coupe de France match. Dangerous, unpredictable. There are a lot of things you can't control. But I think we did a good job," PSG coach Luis Enrique said.

Elsewhere, second-tier Dunkerque reached the quarters by beating top-flight Lille on penalties after a 1-1 draw while Brest eliminated Ligue 2 side Troyes with a 2-1 win.

Hosts Le Mans almost delivered an early shock against PSG as Gabin Bernardeau found an unmarked Theo Eyoum in the box, but his effort hit the side netting.

Le Mans sat back in an effort to frustrate the Ligue 1 leaders, who are unbeaten in all competitions since November, and it took 17 minutes for PSG to have their first shot, which Lee Kang-in put well over the bar from outside the box.

ALSO READ: PSG stun Manchester City with 4-2 comeback

Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder #06 Senny Mayulu (left) runs with the ball during the French Cup (Coupe de France) round of 16 football match between Le Mans FC and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Marie-Marvingt Stadium in Le Mans, western France, on Feb 4, 2025. (PHOTO / AFP)

The hosts' attempts to hold off PSG were undone by a defensive mistake in the 25th minute, when Alexandre Lauray's attempted pass was blocked by Goncalo Ramos on the edge of the box. The ball reached Doue, who buried it into the bottom-left corner.

Le Mans had a free kick just outside the box in added time of the first half, but Lauray's set-piece came off the wall, and his second attempt went just wide of the near post.

Barcola replaced Doue in the 68th minute and within three minutes he was on the scoresheet as he got hold of a lofted ball from Nuno Mendes, sprinted into the Le Mans box and finished at the near post.

PSG almost scored a third a minute later but Le Mans keeper Ewan Hatfout denied Achraf Hakimi.

Le Mans did not give up, and almost scored just before the 90th minute, but Dame Gueye's acrobatic attempt off Zaid Amir's cross was kept out by an alert Matvey Safonov.

"We are in the quarterfinals and we were able to give the players some minutes and a rest, so we have to be happy," Luis Enrique added.

READ MORE: Last-gasp Dembele strike earns PSG French Super Cup victory over Monaco

Leaders PSG host third-placed Monaco in a Ligue 1 clash on Friday.

Similar shots
  • Reaction de L39immigré parisien à la remontada du Psg 41 Barcelone
News Archive
  • Nice vs Ajaccio
    Nice vs Ajaccio
    Nice Vs AC Ajaccio – Predictions And Match Preview
    10 Feb 2023
    2
  • Israel Hamas war
    Israel Hamas war
    Israeli-Hamas war: Putin demands ceasefire, cardinal offers self for ...
    16 Oct 2023
    1
  • Guinea
    Guinea
    Guinea Bissau President postpones elections indefinitely
    5 Nov 2024
    9
  • Man U vs Arsenal
    Man U vs Arsenal
    Arsenal vs Man Utd: Predictions, tips & betting odds
    12 Jan 2025
    7