Despite not being able to watch the game, Bordeaux supporters came to the stadium to cheer on their team as they arrived for the match. The fanbase could be heard throughout the game as they chanted and set off smoke bombs creating an atmosphere that seeped into the 5,000-seater stadium.

After the game, Bordeaux manager Bruno Irles was quick to applaud the fans. The former ESTAC Troyes and RWD Molenbeek manager hailed the significance of the moment stating in his post-match comments, “Coming on a Monday evening at 8:30 p.m. to support us without watching the match, there are few clubs that have this chance.”

Irles continued his comments, “I hope that we will be able to welcome them during the next round and that they will be able to support us on the field.” Bordeaux will find out who they are playing in the next round of the competition on the 17th of October when their region of the country (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) is drawn. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland

The Coupe de France provided a welcome distraction on Sunday. They faced District 1 side Puymoyen, beating the amateur side comfortably (5-0). However, Bordeaux may now be absent from the fifth-round draw, as Ouest-France explain. The club could be disqualified from the competition after fielding their reserve goalkeeper, Over Mandanda, as an outfield player. 

In reaction to Emeric Depussay’s injury in the 89th minute, Bruno Irles brought on Mandanda, brother of Stade Rennais and former France international Steve Mandanda. However, the way in which he was brought on may have broken the rules. The laws stipulate that a goalkeepers must wear a jersey that distinguishes them from the other outfield players, which Mandanda, playing in an outfield position, did not do. 

Bordeaux, in defence, have argued that Irles sought authorisation from a match official, which was granted. There is now a wait to discover their Coupe de France fate. A decision may come on 4th October. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

O’Brien had a breakthrough season this year in France having struggled to find game time in England since he left Cork City for Crystal Palace. Eventually after loans at Swindon Town and RWD Molenbeek, the centre-back was sold to Lyon last summer. The defender was far from then-manager Laurent Blanc’s first choice, but game time steadily grew under Fabio Grosso and then Pierre Sage. 

Lyon ended the season qualifying for the Europa League and reaching the Coupe de France final where they were defeated by Paris Saint-Germain. O’Brien scored in that game becoming the first Irishman since Bernard Williams in 1937 to score in a Coupe de France final. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland

Despite extensive security protocols put in place which saw 1000 police mobilised for the event, as well as strict management of traffic to and from the stadium, with different supporters restricted to different routes, clashes still managed to break out. 

According to L’Équipe, a violent incident occurred when coaches carrying the rival fans came into contact ahead of the game. As Bertrand Gaume, the prefect of the Hauts-de-France region explained in a press conference, a convoy being escorted by the police arrived “at the wrong place” and at a “bad time.” 

This mistake saw one of the set of supporters exit their coach and attack the other in a “very violent brawl” which left two coaches damaged and one set on fire, in a blaze which then spread to a nearby toll booth. The police reportedly quickly intervened to prevent any further damage but 30 were hurt in the clash, and at least eight among the law enforcement also suffered injuries. 

10 arrests made ahead of Coupe de France final

Outside of this incident, the Northern prefecture revealed that their policing around the Coupe de France saw 10 arrests, eight fixed penalties, and one intervention for public drunkenness.

GFFN | Nick Hartland

The future of the Lyon captain is unknown. Lacazette’s contract at the Groupama Stadium is not set to expire until June 2025. However, this has not failed to raise speculation about his long-term future with his boyhood club. The former Arsenal striker is not without suitors either.  

Saudi Arabian clubs are showing an interest in the former France international, according to RMC Sport. Due to the cash-flush financial resources of clubs in the Saudi Pro League, Lacazette has been made an ‘unrefusable’ offer which he is likely to struggle to turn down due to the financial terms. 

Commenting on his future at Lyon, Lacazette said, “The possibility of departure? That’s not the point here. We’ll wait a few days, concentrate. There is no: ”I’m leaving or I’m going to stay”.  I’m thinking about the final. Afterwards, I’ll take a few days to think about all that.”

GFFN | Liam Wraith

Les Parisiens emerged victorious over Les Gones on the night in Lille with 2 first-half goals from Ousmane Dembélé and Fabián Ruiz enough to clench the trophy. OL tried their best to mount a fightback in the second half and got on the scoresheet through Jake O’Brien but they were unable to find an equaliser. 

The France captain was hoisted into the air by his PSG teammates in celebration after they secured another domestic treble in France. Despite being unable to win the Champions League, Luis Enrique’s first season in charge of Les Parisiens will be remembered as a successful one as PSG won every trophy French football has to offer.

‘I leave with my head held high’ 

Asked about his emotions following his final match with the Ligue 1 champions, Mbappé said, “These are just beautiful memories, great years at PSG and in this championship. I leave with my head held high with this trophy and I only remember the positives.”

GFFN | Liam Wraith

The first Coupe de France final to be held in Lille was marred by pre-match chaos – clashes between fans by the motorway and disruption to the French Youth Cup final, also at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy earlier in the evening, made for a tense build-up.

A frantic, end-to-end opening ten minutes appeared to promise a competitive showing from Lyon, backed up by some impressive stops from cup goalkeeper Lucas Perri. Once the league winners were able to settle into the match, though, Les Gones would be confined to their own defensive third until the break.

While Sage’s men were able to counter PSG’s intricate passing moves around the box, they would ultimately be undone by crosses towards their back post – with both Ousmane Dembélé and Fabián Ruiz converting free of any marker. Heading into the break, Les Parisiens appeared to be cruising to a first cup title since 2021.

As has often been the case since the turn of the year, though, Lyon roared back after half-time. After weathering a storm of Mbappé-led attacks after the restart, Les Gones managed to halve the deficit from a corner, swung in by Rayan Cherki and emphatically headed in by Jake O’Brien. The Irishman – a standout performer since breaking into the first team back in October – has made a habit of chipping in with vital goals this season, having taken his overall tally to five.

The equaliser would never come, however, as PSG gradually regained a foothold on the game – some expert game-management staving off a spirited Lyon showing. It wasn’t to be a first trophy for Lyon’s men’s team since 2012 – a double blow for the club, after the women’s side lost the Champions League final earlier in the day over in Bilbao. PSG, meanwhile, lifted the Coupe de France for a record-extending 15th time.

Luis Enrique ends his first season in the French capital with a domestic double, while Pierre Sage will have carved out Lyon’s best showing against PSG this season – having already sealed a spot in next year’s Europa League. Having been plagued with uncertainty last summer and across the campaign, both clubs can now build for next season on much firmer foundations.

PSG player ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma, 6 

Achraf Hakimi, 6

Marquinhos, 6

Lucas Beraldo, 6

Nuno Mendes, 7

Warren Zaïre-Emery, 5

Fabián Ruiz, 7 – The Spaniard saved his best performance of the season for the very last match. An all-action midfield performance, that saw him roam into the box (for which he was rewarded with a goal) and press the Lyon ball-carriers relentlessly. Could have done better for Lyon’s goal, though, which saw him beaten in the air by Jake O’Brien. 

Vitinha, 6

Ousmane Dembélé, 8 – A goal and an assist for the French winger, whose output in front of goal has seen vast improvement this spring. PSG’s most incisive player tonight, consistently breaking through and destabilising the left-hand side of Lyon’s defence. Replaced by Marco Asensio in stoppage time at the end of the game.

Kylian Mbappé, 4 – A quiet outing for the France captain’s final outing as a Paris Saint-Germain player. He created several chances for his teammates – notably squaring it for Zaïre-Emery at the start of the second half – but seemed to shy away from the limelight, rarely bursting into the box himself.

Bradley Barcola, 5 – Unsurprisingly, the Lyon academy product was relentlessly booed by his former fans, but did well to block out the hostility and turn in a solid performance on the left wing. Constantly left Clinton Mata in his wake, although he was rarely able to make anything of his chances once he was past the Angolan.

Lyon player ratings

Lucas Perri, 6 – The Brazilian justified Pierre Sage’s decision to stick with his cup goalkeeper over having Anthony Lopes what would have likely been a Lyon send-off. Made some impressive stops – notably virtually at Barcola’s feet in the third minute – but was partly at fault for PSG’s two goals, having seen both crosses float over him and towards the back post.

Clinton Mata, 3

Jake O’Brien, 6 – The Irishman capped off an excellent first season in France by keeping Kylian Mbappé quiet – on the latter’s send-off from French football, no less. Handed Lyon a lifeline at the start of the second half by powering in a header from Rayan Cherki’s cross.

Duje Ćaleta-Car, 5

Nicolás Tagliafico, 5

Maxence Caqueret, 6

Nemanja Matić, 6 

Corentin Tolisso, 4

Rayan Cherki, 5

Alexandre Lacazette, 5

Saïd Benrahma, 3 – The forward was at fault for PSG’s opener, having left Dembélé free at the back post – just one instance of his lack of defensive presence throughout the game. The West Ham would scarcely fare better going forward, as he struggled to combine with his attacking partners and sent all of his shots off target.

The U19 cup final was staged ahead of the Coupe de France as a prelude to the match between Olympique Lyonnais and Paris Saint-Germain. It was a decision that would see Paris Saint-Germain fans placed directly behind Marseille’s goalkeeper Aboubaka Dosso (18) in the second half. 

Dosso was targeted at the start of the half by the PSG fans with missiles, and around the 68th minute, the game was finally paused by the referee when the goalkeeper was hit in the head by a plastic flag. The game was delayed for ten minutes at 2-1 before it was allowed to continue. 

The trouble did not end at the restart as a Lyon fan spat at Gaël Lafont (17) after he scored the third for Marseille. Les Phocéens scored once more en route to becoming champions of the Gambardella for only the second time in their history.

GFFN | Nick Hartland

Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Vitinha, Marquinhos, Fabián Ruiz and Gianluigi Donnarumma were all absent from PSG’s final Ligue 1 game of the season. All have returned to the squad, all are expected to start against Lyon, in what is a repeat of the 2008 Coupe de France final. 

Luis Enrique, who has already confirmed that Mbappé will start against OL, has plenty of choices to make and he has already made the decision to leave Keylor Navas, Nordi Mukiele, Senny Mayulu, Carlos Soler and Ethan Mbappé out of the matchday squad. 

PSG likely lineup v Lyon 

Gianluigi Donnarumma; Nuno Mendes, Lucas Beraldo, Marquinhos, Achraf Hakimi; Fabián Ruiz, Vitinha, Warren Zaïre-Emery; Bradley Barcola, Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Thanks to their heroic comeback in Ligue 1, Lyon have miraculously already secured their place in next season’s UEFA Europa League, with Alexandre Lacazette’s last-minute winner against RC Strasbourg Alsace on the final day taking OL above RC Lens and into sixth. 

However, despite European football being secured, there will be no lack of motivation for Les Gones, who will be looking to secure their first title since 2012. For the encounter against PSG, Sage has a full squad at his disposal. Lacazette, in what may be his final game for the club, will lead the line, alongside Ernest Nuamah and Saïd Benrahma. Rayan Cherki will therefore have to settle for a place on the bench. 

Lyon likely lineup v PSG

Lucas Perri; Nicolás Tagliafico, Duje Caleta-Car, Jake O’Brien, Ainsley Maitland-Niles; Corentin Tolisso, Nemanja Matić, Maxence Caqueret; Saïd Benrahma, Alexandre Lacazette, Ernest Nuamah. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle