French giants complete domestic treble as goals from Giovani Lo Celso and Edinson Cavani see off plucky minnows

May 10, 2018 admin Ligue 1 0

PSG wrapped up the domestic treble after overcoming gritty minnows Les Herbiers to win the Coup de France.

They added this piece of silverware to the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de la Ligue in what is boss Unai Emery’s last season at the club.

PSG have steamrolled most teams this season on their way to a domestic treble this season
Neymar decided to get into his strip and celebrate PSG securing the double - he's still injured

AFP

Neymar decided to get into his strip and celebrate PSG securing the double – he’s still injured
Kylian Mbappe and Neymar share a moment as PSG defeated the minnows in the cup final

AFP

Kylian Mbappe and Neymar share a moment as PSG defeated the minnows in the cup final
Les Herbiers fought right until the death tonight and can be more than proud of their efforts

AP:Associated Press

Les Herbiers fought right until the death tonight and can be more than proud of their efforts

Les Herbiers is a small town in western France with a population of 16,000, five times less than the capacity of the Stade de France.

Many will have expected the game to be done and dusted by half-time – but incredibly the third-tier team had restricted the Ligue 1 runaway champs to just a single goal.

After hitting the post twice in the first 20 minutes, it was Giovani Lo Celso who finally got his goal and the game’s opener.

Les Herbiers’ backline dropped off on the edge of the box and afforded the Argentinian space and time to shoot and he fired a left-footed effort into the back of the net.

Giovani Lo Celso scored the opening goal for his giants against the minnows

Reuters

Giovani Lo Celso scored the opening goal for his giants against the minnows
Many might have been surprised it took PSG until the 26th minute to nudge ahead

Reuters

Many might have been surprised it took PSG until the 26th minute to nudge ahead
Kylian Mbappe thought he had put PSG 2-0 up - but the referee used VAR and disallowed it for a handball by Marquinhos

AFP

Kylian Mbappe thought he had put PSG 2-0 up – but the referee used VAR and disallowed it for a handball by Marquinhos
Thiago Motta could barely believe the referee had ruled out PSG's second goal

EPA

Thiago Motta could barely believe the referee had ruled out PSG’s second goal

PSG then missed a succession of chances, and had a goal from Kylian Mbappe disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee system

As expected, Unai Emery’s side completely dominated possessions and shots on goal, but it was always going to be Les Herbier’s job to ‘stick in there’.

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And they did just that until the 74th minute, and it was all rather unfortunate.

Keeper Matthieu Pichot brought down Edinson Cavani in the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

But for all Les Herbiers defensive resilience, Edinson Cavani won a penalty in the 74th minute

AFP

But for all Les Herbiers defensive resilience, Edinson Cavani won a penalty in the 74th minute
The free-scoring Uruguayan dusted himself down to hammer home from the penalty spot for 2-0

AFP

The free-scoring Uruguayan dusted himself down to hammer home from the penalty spot for 2-0
Once again the PSG fans were thankful for Edinson Cavani - as a huge cup shock was still on until late in the game

AFP

Once again the PSG fans were thankful for Edinson Cavani – as a huge cup shock was still on until late in the game
As expected, PSG saw of Les Herbiers in the Coupe de France final

AP:Associated Press

As expected, PSG saw of Les Herbiers in the Coupe de France final

The Uruguayan dusted himself down to hammer the ball home for 2-0.

Roared on by its red-and-white contingent of around 15,000 fans, Les Herbiers went close when substitute Clement Couturier raced through in injury time.

PSG coach Emery hugged his counterpart Stephane Masala after the final whistle, visibly impressed by the way his superbly-organised side had resisted so well.

While PSG secured its fourth straight French Cup and League Cup double, Les Herbiers’ players continue their fight to avoid relegation to the fourth tier with a crucial match on Friday.

Neymar watched the game from the stands in a rather fetching pair of glasses

AFP

Neymar watched the game from the stands in a rather fetching pair of glasses

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