Paris Saint-Germain avoided a humiliating defeat as they progressed to the last 16 of the French Cup, winning 4-2 against fifth-tier Espaly on Wednesday, January 15.
However, there was no such luck for Lyon, who were sent crashing out by Bourgoin-Jallieu, another fifth-tier side, after a dramatic penalty shootout.
The match at Espaly’s temporary home, the Stade Marcel-Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand, proved to be a nerve-wracking affair for the defending champions.
PSG, who were expected to breeze through the fixture, found themselves trailing early, with Espaly’s Kevis Gjecçi scoring within the first three minutes.
Despite the early setback, PSG equalized through Warren Zaïre-Emery in the 37th minute, bringing the game level just before halftime.
After the break, Desire Doue put PSG ahead in the 67th minute, seemingly putting the Parisians on course for a routine victory.
But Espaly refused to be intimidated, and Maxence Fournel’s goal in the 71st minute brought the game back to square one, much to PSG’s dismay.
With the possibility of a penalty shootout looming, PSG’s Bradley Barcola emerged as the hero, putting the visitors ahead in the 88th minute.
Gonçalo Ramos sealed the win for PSG four minutes later with a penalty, ensuring their passage into the next round.
PSG coach Luis Enrique was full of praise for the resilience of his team but was also critical of the playing conditions. “I’m not looking for excuses, but we played on a rugby pitch, with the ball bouncing all over the place,” he said after the match.
“We need to be able to play everywhere and we’re delighted that this competition exists, but for everyone’s sake, the conditions need to be better.”
In contrast, Lyon’s journey in the competition ended in shocking fashion. The Ligue 1 side, who were runners-up in last year’s French Cup, were knocked out by Bourgoin-Jallieu after a penalty shootout.
The match had finished 2-2 after 90 minutes, with Lyon’s Nemanja Matić and Georges Mikautadze initially putting them in front.
However, Bourgoin-Jallieu’s Mehdi Moujetzky scored both goals for his side, including a crucial equalizer in the 69th minute, to force the shootout.
Lyon’s hopes of advancing were dashed when Alexandre Lacazette and Corentin Tolisso both missed penalties, handing Bourgoin-Jallieu the upset victory.
Bourgoin-Jallieu’s goalkeeper, Ronan Jay, proved to be the hero, saving two penalties in the shootout to send his team through to the next round.
Lyon coach Pierre Sage was left to reflect on the defeat with regret, stating, “We showed neither pride nor honour. We’re going to have to face up to the shame in front of those close to us, the people who love the club and our directors. It’s almost a tragedy.”
The French Cup saw more upsets as Ligue 2 side Troyes defeated Ligue 1’s Rennes 1-0, while fourth-tier Cannes managed to knock out Ligue 2 leaders Lorient 2-1.
The results have sparked debate over the unpredictability of the French Cup, with PSG and Lyon’s contrasting outcomes serving as a stark reminder of the competition’s potential for surprises.
