(Reuters) – Paris St Germain claimed a 4-3 win on penalties at Lens to reach the French Cup last 32 after a 1-1 stalemate in regular time on Sunday.
M’Bala Nzola was both hero and villain for the hosts, giving them an unexpected lead in the 66th minute but missing their fourth kick of the shootout.
PSG reserve goalkeeper Matvei Safonov then saved Andy Diouf’s spot kick to hand his side the victory with all of their penalty takers scoring with their first four.
“I’m happy. I don’t think I’m the man of the match. Stopping penalties is normal for a goalkeeper,” Safonov told beIN Sports. “It was a tough game against a very good team.”
The Parisians had looked dominant for much of the contest but briefly found themselves behind before Goncalo Ramos levelled in the 70th minute.
“We’re very happy with the win, but it wasn’t the match we wanted. We were level 1-1 after 90 minutes,” PSG left-back Nuno Mendes said.
“Yet we did well with the penalties. We’re leaving with the win, which is the most exciting thing. We’re going to rest and come back for 2025.”
PSG will face fourth-tier Espaly in the next round, which will be played between Jan. 14-16.
“It will be a cup match and anything can happen, so we’ll have to be focused and give it our all,” Mendes added.
(Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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