Mbappe treble fires PSG into French Cup final with victory over lowly Lyon

Kylian Mbappe hit a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain cruised into the final of the French Cup with a thumping 5-1 win at Lyon on Wednesday.

The World Cup winner took his goal tally in all competitions to 30 during a win that was eased by Fernando Marcal being sent off just before Neymar put the French champions ahead in the 64th minute from the penalty spot.

The defeat Lyon ends a five-match unbeaten run that included an impressive 1-0 win over Juventus in the Champions League and the weekend’s triumph over local rivals Saint-Etienne.

“It was a solid, serious display full of concentration,” said PSG coach Thomas Tuchel.

“After the Dortmund match (lost 2-1 in Germany), Mbappe has responded brilliantly. He uses his speed so intelligently ... he is in good form.” Mbappe equalised for the away side with a simple tap-in just three minutes after Martin Terrier had given the raucous home fans hope with a neat 11th-minute opener.

The 21-year-old was also key to PSG taking the lead in the 64th minute from the penalty spot.

Collecting the ball out on the left wing, he casually saw off two Lyon defenders before floating over a cross to fellow forward Edinson Cavani, who controlled the ball only for Marcal to then handle before the Uruguay striker could let his shot go.

Neymar slotted home the subsequent spot-kick after confirmation of the handball by VAR, while Marcal had to leave the field after being handed his second red card.

“I prefer to say nothing about the penalty,” said Lyon boss Rudi Garcia, who side face PSG in the League Cup final next month.

“When you are 10 against 11 playing such a strong team it’s no longer a contest.” Mbappe made sure of the Parisian’s visit to the Stade de France next month with a superb solo effort with 20 minutes left, embarrassing Bruno Guimaraes and Marcelo before calmly slotting past Anthony Lopes.

Pablo Sarabia added a fourth with a stinging low strike 11 minutes later, and Mbappe completed his hat-trick in stoppage time, tapping home Neymar’s cross after good work on the left from the world’s most expensive footballer.

Saint-Etienne and Rennes meet in the second semi-final on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain are “within their right” to not allow star striker Kylian Mbappe to play for France at the Tokyo Olympics, national team coach Didier Deschamps admitted on Tuesday.

 “PSG, and maybe other clubs elsewhere, have taken a position and that is within their right”, Deschamps said in Amsterdam, where he was attending the draw for the next UEFA Nations League.

His comments came after French sports daily L’Equipe reported earlier on Tuesday that PSG had written to the French Football Federation (FFF) to say that the 21-year-old World Cup winner would not be allowed to participate at the Games.

Clubs are not obliged to release players for the Olympic football tournament, which does not fall within official FIFA international dates.

The Olympics are due to run from July 24 to Aug.9, but the next French Ligue 1 season begins on Aug.7. Meanwhile, Mbappe will be part of the France squad at Euro 2020, which will run from June 12 to July 12.

“This concerns me without it concerning me, because I am not the coach (of the Olympic team), that’s Sylvain Ripoll. These are the Olympic Games, which are happening outwith FIFA dates, and the clubs are the employers of the players,” added Deschamps.

Mbappe has stated on several occasions his wish to play for France at the Olympics and FFF President Noel Le Graet earlier confirmed that the striker had been included in an initial long list of 80 names for the tournament.

That list will be reduced to 50 names before being trimmed to a final 18-man squad, plus four players on standby. Rules allow for only three players aged 24 and over to feature in squads.

Agencies