Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick in the second half as his side, Paris Saint-Germain cruised through to the Coupe de France last 16 with a 4-0 win over Vannes.
Defender Presnel Kimpembe was also on target for the defending champions, who remain unbeaten in 90 minutes in the competition since 2014.
The Center Back headed the runaway Ligue 1 leaders in front after 28 minutes at Stade de la Rabine.
Mbappe then took centre stage after the half-time break, striking three times to put the fourth-tier side to the sword.
Unbeaten against lower-league opposition in the Coupe de France since 2010, a much-changed PSG quickly imposed their authority on proceedings, enjoying over three-quarters of the possession.
PSG players Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe (7) celebrate a goal against Vannes in the Coupe de France. | PHOTO: Getty Images |
The visitors, who have won six of the last seven editions of this competition, also registered eight shots inside the opening 25 minutes, with Kimpembe, Xavi Simons, Ander Herrera and Georginio Wijnaldum all drawing saves from Vannes shot-stopper Clement Petrel.
But there was no denying Kimpembe, who broke the deadlock with a free header from Nuno Mendes’ corner.
Kimpembe turned the provider 14 minutes after the restart, Mbappe latching onto his hopeful long ball and racing away before doubling the lead.
The France striker made it 3-0 in emphatic fashion in the 71st minute as he fired a stunning 20-yard effort into the top corner from Simons’ pass.
That was the talisman’s fourth brace in as many appearances for PSG in all competitions.
But hungry for more, the forward completed his hat-trick five minutes later, playing a neat one-two with Eric Ebimbe before sliding into the empty net. PSG remained on course for a seventh Coupe de France triumph in eight years after a commanding win over their fourth-tier opponents.
Although they only converted on target four of their 25 shots, Mauricio Pochettino’s side has now netted seven goals without reply in this season’s competition. It was always going to be a huge ask for Vannes to pull off an upset, but they put up a decent fight, registering nine shots.
PSG forward Kylian Mbappe was the man of the match as he scored a hat-trick against Vannes in the Coupe de France.. | PHOTO: Getty Images |
Apart from the hattrick, another milestone was reached by Mbappe, who took his tally of goals for PSG in all competitions to 150. His hat-trick came from only three shots on target, while he also led the way with six shots overall.
Finding the net in the fourth successive match he has started, the France international has scored nine times during that span.
Just half a season into his PSG career, there has been widespread speculation claiming Wijnaldum is unhappy at the Parc des Princes.
The Netherlands international did little to silence those murmurs as he struggled to make an impact here.
Indeed, he was substituted in the 62nd minute after just 30 touches and 19 passes – both the lowest tallies recorded by any of PSG’s outfield starters.
PSG will return to Ligue 1 action on Sunday as they make an away trip to Lyon in what is promising to be a tough one for both sides as PSG go into the match still without Messi and Neymar.
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