Le Mans 0-2 Paris Saint-Germain: Holders through to Coupe de France quarters

Coupe de France holders Paris Saint-Germain eased into the quarter-finals of the competition after beating third-tier Le Mans 2-0 at the Stade Marie-Marvingt.

Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola’s goals either side of half-time ensured their progression in a game that saw Presnel Kimpembe make his long-awaited return from injury.

Le Mans, however, made a bright start to proceedings with Theo Eyoum firing against the side-netting before Luis Enrique’s side assumed control of the contest.

PSG’s pressure eventually told in the 25th minute when Doue fired the ball into the bottom left corner after Goncalo Ramos won the ball back on the edge of the box.

But the hosts almost found a leveller seven minutes before the break when Matvey Safonov failed to deal with a ball into the box, only for Antoine Rabillard to head over.

The Parisiens made sure of the win in the 71st minute when substitute Barcola collected Nuno Mendes’ pass in behind before he lifted the ball over Ewan Hatfout.

Achraf Hakimi almost grabbed a third for PSG but saw his effort saved, before Safonov remained alert at the other end to deny Dame Gueye’s acrobatic effort late on.

Data Debrief: Parisiens march on

Having suffered back-to-back exits at this stage of the competition in 2021-22 and 2022-23, PSG kept their hopes of a 16th Coupe de France title alive with ease.

But they were made to rely on the brilliance of their substitutes, with Barcola (0.17), Hakimi (0.3) and Vitinha (0.02) registering a higher expected goals (xG) total between them than any of the players who started the contest.

There was also an impressive display in defence by PSG’s Beraldo. The Brazilian completed his 110 passes against Le Mans.

Over the last ten years in all competitions, only Thiago Motta (126 against Wasquehal in January 2016) has attempted more passes for PSG in a game with 100% passing accuracy.