- Marseille played host to Ligue 1 leaders PSG in the Coupe de France on Wednesday night
- PSG came into the match having fallen at the competition at the same stage last season
- The thrilling encounter left the Parisians out of the competition once again at the round of 16
With a stunning goal from Ruslan Malinovskiy, Marseille defeated PSG 2-1 to advance to the Coupe de France quarterfinals after an exciting Classique.
Malinovskiy’s magnificent victory was due compensation after Wednesday’s electrifying Marseille performance at Stade Velodrome.
Igor Tudor’s team had 12 shots in the opening period and took the lead on Alexis Sanchez’s penalty in the third minute, but Sergio Ramos’ header tied the score.
Ramos thought he had scored a goal in stoppage time and appeared to have forced a penalty shootout, but Marseille was saved by the offside flag.
Marseille forward Alexis Sanchez celebrates after scoring the opener against PSG in the Coupe de France round of 16. | PHOTO: All Football |
The scene was set in a frantic manner. Prior to Gianluigi Donnarumma’s tip-over from Cengiz Under, Pau Lopez stopped Nuno Mendes, saved Malinovskiy’s stinging shot, and watched Sead Kolasinac’s strike arrow narrowly wide.
When Ramos collided with Under just inside the area, PSG’s luck ran out. Sanchez calmly converted the penalty, becoming the first Marseille player to score in a home Classique since Florian Thauvin in 2017.
A fantastic low shot from Neymar hit the right-hand post, but PSG was saved by the crossbar when Under missed it after Donnarumma unconvincingly stopped Jonathan Clauss.
Ramos’s nod from Neymar’s corner gave Marseille a warning right before halftime, and they paid for their wasteful behaviour.
However, after just 12 minutes, Malinovskiy broke the tie by launching a vicious half-volley over Donnarumma from the edge of the box.
Marseille players celebrate after Ruslan Malinovskiy scored the second against PSG in the Coupe de France round of 16. | PHOTO: BBC |
Valentin Rongier’s perfectly timed tackle denied Mendes a goal as PSG looked for an immediate retort.
Marseille had a great deal of luck. The 14-time Cup of France champion PSG was eliminated at the same stage as last year, so they ultimately deserved their good fortune, even though Ramos veered offside before heading in from a cross-shot that hit the bar.
PSG will make a trip to Monaco on Saturday in a first against the fourth clash before playing host to Bayern Munich on Tuesday, February 14, in a much anticipated UEFA Champions League clash. Marseille, on their side, will make a trip to Clermont Foot in the Ligue 1 on Saturday before visiting Toulouse on Sunday, February 19, also in the league.
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