Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 Saint-Etienne: Mbappe injury overshadows Coupe de France triumph
July 24, 2020 21:34 MYT
Kylian Mbappe limped out of the Coupe de France final and was later on crutches as Paris Saint-Germain beat Saint-Etienne 1-0 thanks to Neymar's goal.
PSG, awarded the Ligue 1 title on a points-per-game basis after the season was called off in April, made it a double through Neymar's 14th-minute effort but it proved a pyrrhic victory.
Loic Perrin was sent off in the 31st minute following a cynical tackle on Mbappe, who was withdrawn with an apparent ankle injury and later returned to the bench on crutches with his leg in a brace, making him a serious doubt for PSG's return to Champions League action next month.
That challenge sparked a huge melee in the first competitive match in France since March, watched by a small crowd at the Stade de France, with PSG - who also lost Thilo Kehrer to injury - seeing out the win despite a spirited effort from 10-man Saint-Etienne.
CHAMPIONS OF THE COUPE DE FRANCE! Paris Saint-Germain beat St. Etienne to win our th @coupedefrance!#PSGASSE #AllezParis pic.twitter.com/mXon2jb5vb
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) July 24, 2020
Denis Bouanga almost gave Claude Puel's side an early lead when he rattled the post, but it was Neymar who broke the deadlock, turning in from close range after Jessy Moulin palmed away Mbappe's strike.
Moulin produced a brilliant save to deny Angel Di Maria before Perrin scythed down Mbappe as he was about to burst away, sparking unsavoury scenes as the two sets of players squared up.
Referee Amaury Delerue gave the defender his marching orders following a look at the pitch-side monitor after initially showing him a yellow card and another four players were booked - including PSG substitute Marco Verratti for coming off the bench to show dissent - due to the reaction to a tackle that left Mbappe limping down the tunnel following treatment.
Moulin denied Mbappe's replacement Pablo Sarabia as a second goal eluded PSG, but Neymar's early effort proved to be enough for Tuchel's men to regain the trophy.
The sight of Mbappe on crutches will give Tuchel a huge headache ahead of Champions League quarter-final against Atalanta on August 12.
PSG face Lyon in the Coupe de la Ligue final next Friday, but European glory is the priority and a potential Mbappe absence could derail their hopes.