PSG labour to cup final win over third-tier side

Paris Saint-germain beat the resilient third-division side Les Herbiers 2-0 in the French Cup final last night.

It secured a domestic treble for PSG but it was a scrappy performance from the superrich club when a resounding win was widely expected.

Les Herbiers is a small town in western France with a population of 16,000, five times less than the capacity of the Stade de France.

PSG fielded their strongest side and went close several times before midfielder Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring after 26 minutes.

PSG then missed a succession of chances, and had a goal from Kylian Mbappe disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee system, before Edinson Cavani slotted in a penalty in the 74th minute.

Roared on by the red-andwhite contingent of around 15,000 travelling fans, Les Herbiers went close when substitute Clement Couturier raced through in injury time.

PSG coach Unai Emery hugged his counterpart Stephan em as al a after the final whistle, visibly impressed by the way his superbly-organised minnows had played.

While PSG secured the treble, Les Herbiers’ players continue their fight to avoid relegation to the fourth tier with a crucial match on Friday.

Juventus, meanwhile, will attempt to complete the first leg of a domestic double tonight when they face AC Milan in the final of the Coppa Italia.

Juve, whose coach Massimiliano Allegri has been strongly linked with the Arsenal job, are on the verge of winning a seventh successive Serie A title.