In a thrilling semi-final clash of the Coupe de France, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) showcased their resilience by overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat second-tier Dunkerque 4-2 on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille. This remarkable comeback secured PSG's place in the final, where they will face either Reims or Cannes on May 24, 2025.
Dunkerque, who were making their first appearance in a Coupe de France semi-final in 96 years, stunned the football world by racing to a 2-0 lead within the first half-hour. Vincent Sasso opened the scoring in the seventh minute, capitalizing on a flick-on from Alec Georgen, sending the Dunkerque fans into a frenzy. Just 20 minutes later, Muhanad Al-Saad doubled the advantage, finishing from close range after a long kick from the goalkeeper was headed on by Gaetan Courtet.
Despite the daunting situation, PSG began to find their footing as the half drew to a close. Ousmane Dembele, who has been in sensational form this season, ignited the comeback with a powerful strike just before the break, cutting Dunkerque's lead to 2-1. Achraf Hakimi provided the assist, setting the stage for a dramatic second half.
As the second half commenced, PSG continued to press, and their efforts bore fruit just three minutes after the restart. Marquinhos equalized with a well-placed header from a Dembele cross following a corner kick, although Dunkerque players felt aggrieved that the corner should have been awarded in the first place.
With the momentum firmly in PSG's favor, Desire Doue put the Parisians ahead for the first time in the match. The talented midfielder linked up with Bradley Barcola before unleashing a deflected shot that found the back of the net in the 62nd minute. Dunkerque, determined not to go down without a fight, nearly leveled the score again shortly after, but Naatan Skyttä's header was thwarted.
As the match approached its conclusion, Ousmane Dembele sealed the victory for PSG deep into injury time. Receiving a long ball from Willian Pacho, Dembele showcased his speed and composure by sprinting the length of the pitch before calmly slotting the ball past Dunkerque goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen, making it 4-2.
Dunkerque’s valiant effort was commendable, especially considering they had previously knocked out two Ligue 1 teams, Lille and Stade Brestois, on their path to the semi-finals. Their manager expressed pride in the team's performance, highlighting the historic nature of their run in the tournament.
Meanwhile, PSG's victory not only propels them to the final but also keeps them on track for a potential league and cup double this season. They are poised to be crowned Ligue 1 champions if they avoid defeat against Angers in their upcoming match on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Following that, they will face Aston Villa in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on April 9, 2025.
As the dust settles on this thrilling semi-final, one thing is clear: PSG's depth and quality shone through in the face of adversity, and they will be a formidable opponent in the final of the Coupe de France.
