PSG win 4th straight French Cup

Paris Saint-Germain hoisted the French Cup for a fourth consecutive year after a 2-0 victory over third-division side Les Herbiers.

Based in a town with a population of roughly 16,000 -- one-fifth the number of seats at the packed Stade de France -- Les Herbiers impressed PSG fans and even opposing coach Unai Emery with their spirited performance in the David-vs-Goliath tie here on Tuesday, reports Efe news agency.

PSG dominated the play, but Les Herbiers left the pitch with their heads held high after conceding only two goals -- one off a penalty -- to France's best club.

Even without the injured Neymar, who was watching from the stands, a PSG led on the attack by Edinson Cavani, Angel Di Maria and Kylian Mbappe had the potential to inflict a rout on Les Herbiers.

 

In fact, the underdogs could have found themselves trailing 3-0 by the 20th minute but for the wood-work around their net, which thwarted Giovani Lo Celso on two occasions and Mbappe once.

The inevitable goal came in the 26th minute on a well-placed shot by Lo Celso from outside the box.

Mbappe thought he had doubled the lead with a strike in the 50th minute only for the goal to be allowed after the Video Assistant Referee spotted a hand-ball by PSG's Marquinhos.

Cavani squandered a pair of chances before drawing a penalty and converting from the spot to make it 2-0 in the 74th minute.

Tuesday's triumph made PSG Brazilian defender Dani Alves the most-decorated footballer in history, with 38 trophies for club and country.

--IANS

ajb/bg