Defending cup holders Paris Saint-Germain eased into the Coupe de France round of 16 last night. So, in the 16th round of French Cup football results, PSG dominated 0-4 at fourth-tier Vannes, away on Monday.
In fact, Kylian Mbappe scored a second-half hat-trick as Paris St-Germain beat fourth-tier Vannes in the French Cup last 32.
Presnel Kimpembe headed in PSG’s only first-half goal from Nuno Mendes’ corner, and Mbappe took over in the second half.
Mbappe slotted in from Kimpembe’s ball. He then directed a sweet first-time effort from 20 yards, from a Xavi Simons pass, to score his second goal.
He completed the hat-trick after a one-two with Junior Dina Ebimbe for his 150th Paris Saint-Germain goal in 196 games. So, now, Kylian Mbappe is only the third player to ever score 150 goals for PSG.
As for PSG themselves, the Parisians have won six of the last seven French Cups, reaching every final since 2015. So, in all but one French Cup campaign since 2015, PSG have dominated as the title holders.
With several regular starters absent, though, PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino fielded a makeshift side that still managed to dominate throughout.
Lionel Messi was one of four PSG players to miss the game after testing positive for Covid-19.
French Cup Football Results – PSG Dominated 0-4 at Fourth-tier Vannes
Nonetheless, such a side with so many missing key players played at walking pace for much of the contest.
Home goalkeeper Clement Petrel denied Ander Herrera and Georginio Wijnaldum with fine saves.
But eventually, Kimpembe fired the visitors ahead by successfully attempting a diving header from close range in the 28th minute.
On the other hand, Mbappe, despite his quiet first half, doubled PSG’s lead in the second half, at 59 minutes.
He raced clear of his markers from Kimpembe’s pass and beat Petrel. The keeper, here, was unlucky not to keep the ball out after getting his body to it.
However, luck had nothing to do with Mbappe’s 71st-minute strike, coming after good work in assisting by 18-year-old Xavi Simons. Then, Mbappe unleashed a first-time thunderbolt into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Five minutes later, Mbappe scored on a simple close-range tap-in into an empty net after a one-two with substitute Eric Ebimbe.
Edouard Michut, another 18-year-old prospect whom Pochettino gave the nod to, also rattled the crossbar. Finally, Petrel pulled off another good save to deny Ebimbe in the closing stages.
The home side missed a gilt-edged chance to grab a consolation goal in stoppage time. PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma tipped away Jordan Henry’s shot at the back post from point-blank range.
