It’s a surprise. A real one. The Round of 16 of the Coupe de France between Paris Saint-Germain and Paris FC will go down as one of the most unexpected clashes of this edition. At the Parc des Princes, in a Parisian derby that seemed lopsided on paper, Paris FC defied all predictions in a thrilling, tense, and absolutely astonishing match.
From the opening minutes, the script seemed written in advance. PSG dominated possession, set the pace, and laid siege to the opposition almost continuously. Paris FC endured, fell back, and suffered. Wave after wave of Parisian attacks came, opportunities too, yet nothing went in. Each attempt was blocked by a foot, a defender, or the goalkeeper. PSG’s dominance was outrageous, almost suffocating.
PSG’s Struggles in Front of Goal
And yet, against all logic, football struck again. In the 74th minute, on one of their rare usable balls, Paris FC launched a counterattack. Jonathan Ikoné, perfectly served, beat the Parisian defense and opened the scoring. A thunderbolt at the Parc des Princes. PSG was stunned, the crowd in shock. Paris FC led against the run of play, perfectly embodying the spirit of the Coupe de France.
From that moment, the match entered another dimension. Parisian pressure became suffocating. Repeated crosses, long-range shots, forays into the box—PSG threw everything into the battle. But Paris FC held firm. They bent without breaking, powered by exemplary solidarity and unwavering determination.
What a Game from Nkambadio!
The man of the evening had a name: Obed Nkambadio. Named Man of the Match, the Paris FC goalkeeper delivered a monumental performance. Occasionally imprecise with his distribution, he was decisive where it mattered most. Reflex saves, line-blocking stops, commanding interventions—Nkambadio frustrated the Parisian attackers and kept the inevitable at bay until the final whistle. A truly titanic display.
This match goes beyond a simple Round of 16. It was a clash between two Parisian clubs that have rarely faced each other in history. It raises a question: will this derby spark a more electric rivalry between the neighboring clubs? Long relegated to the background, Paris FC sent a strong message tonight.
That night, the favorite fell, and Paris experienced a different kind of thrill. Yes, it was a surprise. And it was immense.
We’re very happy, we defended well. It’s one of the biggest surprises in Europe. We’re glad to leave with the victory, it will do us good. I’m super happy with my goal against the club that trained me. I hope it’s not the last one. It’s pure happiness.
Jonathan Ikoné, speaking to french channel France 3
