PSG treble hopes alive after French Cup final rout of Reims

Paris Saint-Germain cruised past Stade de Reims 3-0 at the Stade de France on Saturday to win the Coupe de France and keep their treble hopes alive.

Paris, France. (WE) Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) kept their treble hopes alive with a dominant 3-0 victory over Stade de Reims in the Coupe de France final at the Stade de France on Saturday. Under coach Luis Enrique, the Ligue 1 champions claimed their 16th French Cup title, extending their record. This win gave them their third domestic trophy in two consecutive seasons and set a confident tone ahead of the upcoming UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan in Munich.

PSG started the match aggressively. Although Reims managed the first shot on target through Amadou Kone, the effort did not trouble PSG’s goalkeeper Matvey Safonov. Enrique trusted Safonov over the more established Gianluigi Donnarumma, showing faith in his Russian keeper’s abilities. The Paris side included nearly all their strongest players. A late change replaced Khvicha Kvaratskhelia with Desire Doue before kickoff.

PSG controlled possession and pushed forward relentlessly. Their high-pressing style overwhelmed Reims, who struggled to contain their attacks. The first goal arrived in the 16th minute when Doue set up Bradley Barcola. Barcola raced past his marker and curled a precise shot into the bottom corner. The young French forward scored again three minutes later after a slick pass from PSG captain Marquinhos found Doue, who crossed for Barcola to tap home.

Barcola told France 2 after the match, “We got off to a good start and got the job done quickly. We set a lot of pace, both defensively and offensively, and it paid off.” His words reflected PSG’s dominant performance.

Reims’ goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf made some important saves, denying Ousmane Dembélé and Joao Neves. However, PSG kept the pressure high. Two minutes before halftime, Barcola assisted Achraf Hakimi, who scored at the back post to extend the lead to 3-0.

The second half saw PSG maintain their intensity. Reims remained pinned back in their half and failed to create meaningful chances. Diouf made a reflex save to keep out another Barcola effort, but PSG controlled the match comfortably until the final whistle.

This Coupe de France victory strengthens PSG’s confidence ahead of their Champions League final. They face Inter Milan, led by manager Simone Inzaghi, at the Allianz Arena in Munich next Saturday. Inter have shown great resilience in Serie A and Europe, making the final a tough test.

Barcola highlighted the importance of this win for PSG’s preparation. “We knew we had to get the job done today to prepare well for the final, and we did it. Now, we will arrive at the next match with confidence,” he said.

For Reims, the loss marks the end of their cup run but the start of a critical fight to stay in Ligue 1. The club currently sits level with Metz at 1-1 in their relegation playoff. The second leg, scheduled for Thursday at Reims’ home ground, will determine if they remain in France’s top tier or drop to Ligue 2.

Owned by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), PSG has long dominated French football but continues to chase European success. The club’s star-studded lineup, including Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé, has fallen short in the Champions League in recent years. Luis Enrique, who previously won the treble with FC Barcelona, now aims to guide PSG to their first-ever Champions League trophy.

The team’s balanced mix of youth and experience shines through in players like Barcola and Doue, whose performances in the final showed their rising importance.

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Reims, founded in 1931 and historically successful in the 1950s and 1960s, now faces a challenging future. Their relegation playoff against Metz will decide their fate. Both clubs have rich histories but have struggled to stay consistently in Ligue 1. The playoff system adds excitement and pressure at the season’s end.

The Stade de France, the national stadium, has hosted many major football events, including France’s 1998 World Cup win. PSG’s latest triumph adds to the stadium’s rich legacy.

Next weekend’s Champions League final will attract global attention. Fans from around the world will watch as PSG attempt to claim the biggest prize in club football. The match will also boost Munich’s economy and reinforce UEFA’s reputation as the top organizer of European football.

PSG’s road to this final involved strategic signings and tactical improvements. Luis Enrique’s high-intensity approach has maximized the squad’s talents. The club’s investment in young talent alongside its stars creates a strong foundation for success.

Reims, meanwhile, must now shift their focus to survival. Their Ligue 1 status, therefore, depends heavily on their performance against Metz in the upcoming playoff match.

PSG’s 3-0 win confirms their domestic dominance and builds momentum for the biggest game of their season. Their ambition to complete a historic treble is strong, and with recent performances, it could soon become a reality.