🏆 PSG avoid embarrassing Coupe de France exit with Espaly comeback | OneFootball

Paris Saint Germain squeaked into the Coupe de France Round of 16 after a 4-2 comeback win over Espaly on Wednesday.

Scorers: Gjeçi 3', Fournel 71'; Zaïre-Emery 37', Doue 67', Barcola 88', Ramos' 90+2'

This tournament delivered the drama as the hosts from France's fifth tier almost pulled off a stunning victory.

It took only four passes and three minutes for Espaly to find the back of the net against PSG, leaving the Parisian giants shocked.

Kevis Gjeçi was left unmarked in the box despite being surrounded by six defenders and headed home a cross with ease from the left wing.

Over time, the visitors dictated the match as expected. Desire Doue tried to rally his side forward with a handful of shots. His influence proved vital just before the break as he teed up Warren Zaire-Emery to turn things 1-1.

Coming out after the break, PSG maintained their dominance (82% possession) and subsequently turned things around.

Bradley Barcola raced into the box and fizzed a cross toward the left side where a lurking Doue made no mistake from point-blank range.

But then Espaly proved they had more fight in them when striker Maxence Fournel drilled home an equaliser from just outside the six-yard box.

On the brink of being the second Ligue 1 side to be eliminated by a club from the fifth tier that day, PSG threw everything forward.

And in the dying moments, they avoided such a scare when Barcola nodded home at the back post to keep the club from the capital alive.

A late penalty from Goncalo Ramos then piled misery on the hosts.

📸 ALEX MARTIN - AFP or licensors