Paris Saint-Germain's quest for another Coupe de France title remains on course after their dramatic victory over RC Lens on December 22, 2024. The match, held at the Stade Bollaert, ended 1-1 after extra time, with PSG triumphing 4-3 on penalties thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Matvey Safonov.
Safonov, stepping up due to Gianluigi Donnarumma's injury, made headlines with two pivotal saves against M'Bala Nzola and Andy Diouf during the penalty shootout, allowing PSG to avoid early elimination. Speaking to PSG TV, Safonov expressed his joy, stating, "We won and I am happy. Today, everyone is happy and it’s normal. It was a game with many emotions, very difficult because our opponent played well today."
The match was not short on drama. PSG believed they had opened the scoring when Achraf Hakimi's shot found the back of the net, but the goal was ruled offside. The game swung when Lens took the lead through defender Abdukodir Khusanov, who capitalized on defensive errors within PSG's ranks. Yet, the Parisians responded swiftly. Four minutes after falling behind, substitute Gonçalo Ramos equalized with a powerful shot, showcasing his knack for finding the net.
Despite dominating possession and creating more opportunities, PSG struggled to find the decisive touch, ending the first half goalless and the second half with the score tied. The match’s intensity increased, with both teams vying to secure progression. After regular and extra time yielded no winner, the showdown would be decided through penalties.
During the penalty shootout, both teams traded successful kicks until it came down to Safonov's pivotal interventions. After the initial penalties, with the score sitting at 3-3, Safonov's first massive moment arrived when he saved Nzola's shot. Following this, PSG's Barcola converted, placing the pressure squarely on Diouf, whose effort was also thwarted by the resilient Russian keeper. With composure, Safonov secured the necessary saves, allowing PSG to advance to the Round of 32.
After the match, the hero spoke candidly about the emotions experienced throughout the tense encounter. "I believe I was lucky because my hand save was aided by the crossbar. At one moment, I thought I had conceded, but I had this luck. It was also a moment of emotion," Safonov reflected, corroborated by his assertion to Beinsports-FR, stating, "It’s sometimes about having some luck."
From Lens’ perspective, there was disappointment and regret. Florian Sotoca, who played for Lens, expressed the frustration felt within the squad: "We have many regrets; we were timid in the first half but rose to the occasion after halftime. To concede the equalizer just minutes after taking the lead is tough." This sentiment was echoed by Adrien Thomasson, who acknowledged Safonov's performance: "There is a good goalkeeper opposite; we have to give him all the credit tonight."
The match showcased both the strengths and shortcomings of PSG, who, as defending champions, looked to assert their dominance but faced patches of inconsistency. They will face Espaly, who plays at the National 3 level, next, presenting them with an opportunity to solidify their Coupe de France aspirations.
Both teams ended the game knowing they put forth valiant efforts. PSG fans will undoubtedly celebrate Safonov's performance, marking him as the man of the match, but problems remain to tackle as the season progresses. For now, the focus shifts to the next challenge, as the champions aim to continue their pursuit of the prestigious trophy they hold dear.
