MY ACCOUNT
Kylian Mbappe scored a second-half hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain breezed through to the Coupe de France last 16 with a 4-0 win over Vannes.
Presnel Kimpembe was also on target for the defending champions, who remain unbeaten in 90 minutes in the competition since 2014.
The skipper headed the runaway Ligue 1 leaders in front after 28 minutes at Stade de la Rabine.
Mbappe then took centre stage after the 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.
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 Clement Petrel.
But there was no denying Kimpembe, who broke the deadlock with a free header from Nuno Mendes’ corner.
Kimpembe turned 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, he completed his hat-trick five minutes later, playing a neat one-two with Eric Ebimbe before sliding into the empty net.
What does it mean? A walk in the park for PSG
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 four of their 25 shots, Mauricio Pochettino’s side have 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.
150 up for Mbappe
Another milestone was reached by Mbappe, who took his tally of goals for PSG in all competitions to 150.
His hat-trick came from 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.
Wijnaldum fails to make an impact
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.
What’s next?
PSG return to Ligue 1 action on Sunday as they go to Lyon.
