PSG beats Auxerre 1-0 to win French Cup
Paris Saint-Germain became the first French side to win the domestic treble after laboring to a 1-0 win against second-division side Auxerre in the French Cup final on Saturday.
Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani settled a tense match when he headed in a cross from the right midway through the second half, although the ball went off the crossbar and hit the back of goalkeeper Donovan Leon before crossing the line.
The only failure in an otherwise dominant season for PSG was the Champions League, where the ambitious club fell short once more, after again going out to Barcelona - this season’s finalist - in the quarterfinals.
“We won the rest of the tro- phies. No other team has done this and I am very proud of the team,” PSG’s top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic said. “I want some more (trophies), trust me.”
On paper, it should have been a mismatch between big-spending PSG - still seeking to join Europe’s elite clubs - and an Auxerre side that finished ninth in the French second division.
But Auxerre, a four-time French Cup winner, started strongly and forced the first two corners of the game.
One lapse of concentration, however, was punished by Cavani’s 12th goal in 12 games.
“We finished the season very well. We wanted this cup and it was hard to win it,” PSG coach Laurent Blanc said. “Auxerre played very well and you have to take your hat off to them. They played to their strengths.”
Auxerre started brightly and, after PSG defender David Luiz made a careless mistake, forced the first corner of the game.
With PSG making sloppy mistakes, Auxerre got another corner in the 10th to keep the PSG fans quiet at Stade de France.
Ibrahimovic looked out of sorts, but got a chance when midfielder Thiago Motta played him through in the 35th minute, only for goalkeeper Donovan Leon to anticipate his lob and save it rather easily.
Motta then hit the post with a crisp 25-yard drive in the 40th as PSG started to get on top. Leon saved a header from Cavani in the 55th and Cavani had a shot blocked near the line moments later.
With PSG pushing forward, Auxerre was twice dangerous on the break.
But in the 65th, PSG finally went ahead as Cavani met right back Gregory van der Wiel’s cross from right with a welltimed leap.
PSG had a scare in the 88th when Auxerre’s cross from the left just eluded striker Julien Viale as he tried to reach it
“We’ve made history now and it’s been an exceptional season, even though we have regrets about the Champions League,” PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi said. “We’re proud of our fans and proud to play for PSG. But you have to give credit to Auxerre.”