PARIS, Feb 1: Nice coach Christophe Galtier outwitted Paris Saint-Germain again as his side won a tense penalty shootout 6-5 to reach the quarterfinals of the French Cup following a 0-0 away draw.
Holder PSG’s bid for a record-extending 15th trophy and an eighth straight final fell short at Parc des Princes against visiting Galtier’s expertly organized side.
Mbappe was on the bench until an hour in. By the time he came on, Nice’s defense led by Brazilian veteran Dante and former Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo had settled. Lionel Messi started yet made little impact.
Justin Kluivert had a shot saved for Nice soon after the break and PSG midfielder Marco Verratti curled a shot over from a decent position midway through the second period.
Mbappe and Nice’s Amine Gouiri scored in the shootout, however, but after Dante dinked the ball in with a brilliant Panenka-style kick, former PSG goalkeeper Marcin Bulka kept out Xavi Simons to give Nice a win. (AP)
