Although both of this year’s league match-ups between PSG and their cup final rivals ended in 4-1 victories for the former, Luis Enrique was wary of the threat a revitalised Lyon side could pose. The run of form that propelled Pierre Sage’s men from bottom of the table in December to an improbable sixth-place finish – European football clinched with the final kick of the season – was unmatched across the league.
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.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin – from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve d’Ascq
