Paris Saint-Germain secured a hard-fought victory against Monaco
Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain secured their place in the Round of 16 of the French Cup after a marathon and thrilling encounter against their arch-rivals Monaco. Despite the second leg, played at the Parc des Princes, ending in a 2-2 draw, the Parisian side progressed thanks to their 3-2 victory in the first leg, giving them a 5-4 aggregate win.
The match was full of twists and turns, with Monaco taking the lead through Magnus Akliuch in the 45th minute, ending the first half with the visitors ahead. However, the second half saw a Parisian resurgence, with Brazilian captain Marquinhos equalizing in the 60th minute, before his Georgian teammate Khvica Kvaratskhelia added a second goal in the 66th minute. Just as the match seemed destined for a Monaco victory, substitute Jordan Teze snatched a dramatic equalizer in the first minute of stoppage time, but it wasn't enough to prevent their elimination.
Background of the historical conflict between the two poles
The rivalry between Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco is one of the most prominent in French football, combining the financial and administrative might of the capital city with the rich history of the principality's club, which has always been a fierce competitor for domestic titles. This rivalry has gained further momentum in the last decade with the rise of Paris Saint-Germain as a dominant force in France and Europe, thanks to Qatari investment, while Monaco has maintained its status as a major contender and succeeded in breaking Paris's dominance by winning the French league title in the 2016-2017 season.
The importance of qualifying and its impact on the two teams' journey
This qualification is of paramount importance to Paris Saint-Germain, as it keeps the team's hopes alive of competing for all possible domestic titles, the minimum objective set by the club's management each season. Victories in such high-stakes matches also boost the team's confidence before facing the more challenging European competitions. On the other hand, despite the bitterness of elimination, Monaco delivered a strong performance, demonstrating their ability to compete with the strongest teams. Their performance was negatively impacted after Mamadou Coulibaly was sent off in the 59th minute for receiving two yellow cards, making it difficult for them to maintain their lead. This strong showing will give the principality team a morale boost as they continue to compete strongly in the French league.
Additional match details
The match saw Moroccan full-back Achraf Hakimi start, delivering a standout performance on the right flank and posing a constant threat. His appearance came just one day after his court appearance in connection with the rape charges against him. Hakimi contributed to creating numerous chances, and his powerful shot in the 66th minute led to Kvaratskhelia's second goal after the goalkeeper parried the initial shot.
