Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) were knocked out of the Coupe de France on Monday night by city rivals Paris FC in a shocking Paris derby defeat that sent tremors across French football.
The upset unfolded in the Round of 32, where the French champions dominated the ball, the chances and the territory, but somehow finished the night empty-handed. Paris FC needed just one moment of clarity to flip the script and silence the Parc des Princes.
That moment arrived in the 74th minute. Substitute Jonathan Ikoné punished PSG’s wastefulness with a sharp finish after a clever assist from Ilan Kebbal. Two substitutes combined, one goal scored, mission accomplished.
PSG huffed and puffed but never landed the knockout blow. They racked up 22 shots, eight corners and waves of late pressure, but accuracy deserted them when it mattered most. Vitinha, Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé and Gonçalo Ramos all had looks at goal, yet Paris FC’s defence refused to crack.
The visitors were disciplined, compact and ruthless. They managed just four attempts all night, but unlike PSG, they made one count. It was a classic cup smash-and-grab, executed with composure and belief.
As stoppage time dragged on, PSG threw everything forward. Shots flew, corners piled up, frustration grew. Still, Paris FC stood firm, soaking up pressure and protecting a priceless lead until the final whistle. Speaking after the defeat, PSG coach Luis Enrique said:
“Disappointed with the result and with not having scored, but as far as the match itself is concerned, I think it was a very high-level match. We were the better team and created many chances. In the first half, we counter-pressed well. I think it was a very complete performance. I’m disappointed with the result because we didn’t score. Against Lille, I would happily sign for a performance like today’s, but in football the result is sometimes unfair, and I think it’s very clear that we didn’t deserve this outcome tonight.”
For PSG, this is a bruising exit that raises uncomfortable questions. Dominance without end product counts for nothing in knockout football. For Paris FC, it is a historic derby victory and a famous night they will talk about for years.
In the Coupe de France, reputations don’t guarantee survival. Paris FC proved that perfectly.
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