Paris Saint-Germain were crowned Coupe de France champions after edging Olympique Lyonnais 2-1 in the final on Saturday evening.
Coupe de France
Result: Olympique Lyon 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain
Date: 25 May 2024
Venue: Stade Pierre-Mauroy
PSG made two changes from the side that beat Rennes in the semi-finals, as Beraldo was recalled to partner his countryman Marquinhos in central defence while Bradley Barcola also returned to join Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele upfront.The game got off to a bright start, as Lyon did not hold back, with the result being end to attacks.
The Parisians eventually went ahead on 22 minutes after Dembele headed home a cross at the back post after a cross by Nuno Mendes.
Luis Enrique's charges gained momentum and just after the half-hour mark Fabian Ruiz doubled their lead with a shot from a rebound after goalkeeper Lucas Perri saved his initial shot from a teasing cross by Dembele.
Dembele was a thorn in the flesh for Lyon as he almost produced the third goal for PSG after breaking again on the right wing on the stroke of half-time and delivered a cross at the back post but Ruiz's half-volley unmarked missed wide.
Lyon had a perfect start in the second stanza as ten minutes later Jake O'Brien reduced the deficit with a towering header from a corner by Rayan Cherki.
OL threatened again from a corner just after the hour-mark as they produced a similar move from a corner but shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off a great save to deny Nicolas Tagliafico from a header.
PSG regained control of the game after that and held possession for longer periods, as Enrique resisted making changes up until the dying minutes when he brought on Kang-In Lee in place of Barcola for fresh legs.
The Parisians ran down the clock by holding into possession and slowed down the game as they held on to a narrow win and were crowned champions.
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