Paris Saint-Germain beat Lens on penalties in the round of 32 of the French Cup. The former Fiorentina striker, M'Bala Nzola broke the deadlock in the 66th minute, four minutes later PSG equalised Gonçalo Ramos.
Without the Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma unavailable after the tough clash with Singo of Monaco, the Russian Matvej Safonov plays in goal, decisive by saving the last two penalties against Nzola and Diouf. No errors from the spot for the team coached by Luis Enrique: Barcola, Dembelé, Ramos and Vitinha. The latter opens the penalty shootout with a “walk” run and a “no look” shot after a feint.
Also hidden among the Lens fans was former French defender Raphael Varanewho grew up in Lens before moving first to Real Madrid and then to Manchester United. After starting the season in Como, he retired at just 31 years of age and is now a member of the Como club's board of directors.
Away successes also for Monaco and Marseille, who drop poker against Saint-Jean and Saint-Étienne respectively: scored Ben Seghir, Vanderson, Teze and Ilenikhena on the one hand; Greenwood, Rabiot, Luis Henrique, and Hojbjerg on the other. The team coached by the Italian De Zerbi takes advantage of his numerical superiority to send off Ibrahim Sissoko al 21′.
