Kylian Mbappe scores hat trick as PSG crush Lyon to reach French Cup final

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:16 am

Kylian Mbappe scored a hat trick as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed 10-man Olympique Lyonnais 5-1 on Wednesday to reach the French Cup final and remain on course for a domestic treble.

Ligue 1 leaders PSG, who will also face Lyon in the League Cup final, prevailed thanks to Mbappe's treble and goals by Neymar and Pablo Sarabia after Martin Terrier had put the hosts in front early on.

Lyon finished with 10 men after Fernando Marcal was sent off in the 61st minute for picking up a second yellow card, leaving his team to exposed with the scores level at 1-1.

After the match, manager Thomas Tuchel spoke about the performances of his two star players as they prepare to build up to their Champions League return leg against Borussia Dortmund on March 11 in which they trail 2-1 on aggregate.

Tuchel said: "[Neymar] absolutely has to play. Neymar needs rhythm to be at his best. We still have one match to come against Strasbourg -- good for him. He was treated at half-time, but he said 'the pain does not matter.'

"[Mbappe] had a tough time in Dortmund, but gave everything for the team in a different position. After Dortmund, I felt he was doing very well in training -- very strong. Clearly he felt good.

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"Two good matches against Dijon and Lyon have followed. He is playing with confidence, in a direct way, and is using his speed intelligently. He is in very good shape."

PSG will take on holders Stade Rennes or Saint-Etienne at the Stade de France on April 25.

Terrier put the hosts ahead on 11 minutes when he latched onto Karl Toko-Ekambi's pass.

Mbappe equalised three minutes later by deflecting in Layvin Kurzawa's header for his 28th PSG goal of the season in all competitions.

Marcal's handball earned PSG a penalty and the Brazilian defender his second yellow card. Lyon boss Rudi Garcia admitted it was two different matches before and after being reduced to 10 men.

"There were two games inside this match," Garcia said. "We can be satisfied with what we did at 11 vs. 11. After the double penalty and the red card, it was no longer a contest.

"PSG do not need that to win and to reach the final. If anything, I think we let them equalise too quickly. I have nothing to blame my boys for, though."

Neymar converted a spot kick and Mbappe took advantage of PSG's extra man by adding a third at the end of a dazzling 60-metre run.

Sarabia rubbed salt in Lyon's wounds with a fourth from close range -- his seventh in the competition this season -- before Mbappe rounded it off with another goal in stoppage time.