PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN clinched the French League Cup for an incredible FIFTH time on the spin.
Edinson Cavani’s double and an Angel Di Maria strike left Unai Emery’s side looking destined for a domestic treble that would ease the pain of their Champions League last-16 KO at the hands of Real Madrid.
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AP:Associated Press
Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi made it clear he wanted progress in Europe this season after a £360million outlay on Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
But first on the agenda would have been reasserting their domestic dominance over ‘Le Classique’ rivals Monaco – the current Ligue 1 champions.
With the ‘Coupe de la Ligue’ now in the bag, two more trophies will surely follow given their 17-point league lead and the lineup of teams in the last four of the French Cup.
PSG, without the injured Neymar, landed an early blow at Bordeaux’s Matmut Atlantique home when Cavani fired in from the penalty spot after VAR intervention.
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AP:Associated Press
Mbappe wriggled into the area before Kamil Glik tripped the striker, with the referee twice changing his mind before consulting the video official.
Cavani stepped up and fired to his right, but was fortunate to see the ball cross the line after Danijel Subasic got a hand to the ball.
Mbappe served up another goal inside the first quarter of the match when his run and brilliantly-weighted pass from the right sent Di Maria through on goal – with Monaco’s keeper again getting a mitt to the ball only to be beaten at his near post.
Former Manchester City prospect Rony Lopes chipped wide when one-on-one with PSG keeper Kevin Trapp moments before Cavani missed a sitter from Mbappe’s cross.
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And Monaco were undone by VAR again when Radamel Falcao had a header ruled out from a Lopes cross.
Lopes clipped the top of the bar after the break, with Monaco saved by Subasic second later after Mbappe raced through on goal.
The ex-Monaco man, 19, was everywhere but just could not get on the scoresheet, scuffing another shot wide.
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Cavani thought he had a second when he tapped in from Mbappe’s cross but the striker had strayed offside.
Things took a sour turn for Monaco ten minutes from time with Joao Moutinho departing on a stretcher after a tackle from Presnel Kimpembe.
And Cavani DID double his tally in the final five minutes with a cool finish inside the box.
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