Edinson Cavani scores late as PSG advance in Coupe de la Ligue

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:07 am
Edinson Cavani volleyed home the PSG winner four minutes from time.
Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Winger Angel Di Maria came off the bench to set up a late winner for striker Edinson Cavani as defending champion Paris Saint-Germain beat Saint-Etienne 1-0 to reach the Coupe de la Ligue quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Apart from hitting the crossbar with a scissor-kick in the first half, PSG top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a quiet game and was replaced by Di Maria, who went close with a free kick in the 77th minute.

With four minutes remaining, Di Maria delivered a brilliant dipping pass over the defense and Cavani volleyed expertly past Jessy Moulin despite being slightly off balance.

"Saint-Etienne only came to defend, but I have to say they defended very, very well," PSG coach Laurent Blanc said after the game. "I told my players at halftime that they had to do better."

But despite fielding a strong side, PSG struggled to break down a Saint-Etienne side featuring four teenagers and a reserve goalkeeper.

PSG will host Lyon next month.