Sports

Mbappé stars as PSG beat Monaco in Coupe de France final

Published

3 years ago

May 19, 2021

PSG were without Neymar Jr. for the Stade de France showpiece, the club’s appeal against the Brazilian’s suspension falling on deaf ears, but they nonetheless started on the front foot, with Marquinhos in particular looking for balls in behind for Mbappé.

One of those led to a corner which found Danilo in the box, but the Portuguese scooped his effort over (12′). Marquinhos was nearly caught out by Kevin Volland with another attempt at the same play when the recently recalled Germany international chased down his attempted delivery, but Keylor Navas raced off his line to clear the danger (18′), and PSG took the lead moments later. Mbappé caught Axel Disasi napping on the edge of the Monaco box, stole the ball and squared for Mauro Icardi, who was left with a simple tap-in (19′). PSG might have pulled further clear when Alessandro Florenzi got the break of the ball, but the Italy right-back’s shot was touched over the bar by Radoslaw Majecki (33′). Volland saw a shot deflect wide at the other end (39′) and it was 1-0 at the break.

Monaco coach Niko Kovac sent Krépin Diatta on for Ruben Aguilar at the start of the second half, the Senegal winger tasked with adding more attacking verve to the principality side’s right flank, and he nearly got on the end of an Aleksandr Golovin cross into the box soon after (46′). Caio Henrique carved out another touch soon after with a stunning piece of control before slipping in Wissam Ben Yedder, but once again Navas was off his line in time to make the save (51′). Stevan Jovetic and Gelson Martins then entered the fray for Monaco, replacing Ben Yedder and Youssouf Fofana (59′) and the fresh legs helped Monaco to a dominant period of possession without returning any goals. Martins came close, but his cross-turned-shot came back off the crossbar (68′). Mbappé then hit the woodwork at the other end with a fine lob from range, but there was ultimately no keeping him out. Angel Di Maria danced past his marker and slid Mbappé, and he lifted a finish over Majecki to cap off a 2-0 win (82′).