PSG Women Reach Final Despite Double Sending Off
Paris Saint-Germain's women's team qualified for the 2026 Coupe de France final, defeating Paris FC 2-1 despite two red cards that reduced their squad to nine players on the field.
A Feat with Nine Against Eleven
Paris Saint-Germain's women's team pulled off one of the most remarkable feats of the 2025-2026 season. On Saturday, April 4th, at the Campus PSG in Poissy, the Parisians defeated Paris FC 2-1 in the Coupe de France semi-final, despite two expulsions that forced them to finish the match with nine against eleven. A heroic performance that opens the doors to the final.
A Rollercoaster Scenario
The match started in the worst possible way for PSG. In the 3rd minute, a cross from Clara Mateo provoked an own goal by Élisa De Almeida, giving Paris FC the lead. But Paulo César's players were quick to react: in the 20th minute, Anaïs Ebayilin equalized with a powerful header from a corner taken by Sakina Karchaoui.
The turning point of the match came in the 49th minute, when Griedge Mbock was sent off after a VAR review for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Reduced to ten, the Parisians did not buckle. On the contrary: in the 57th minute, Romée Leuchter converted a penalty won after a foul on captain Karchaoui, giving PSG the lead.
Ten Minutes of Hell with Nine
As if the task wasn't difficult enough, Ornella Graziani received a second yellow card in added time of the second half, leaving PSG with nine players to face ten interminable minutes of added time. English goalkeeper Mary Earps distinguished herself with decisive saves, notably against Melween N'Dongala, to preserve the Parisian advantage.
"With nine against eleven, it's crazy, but we showed that we are PSG"
said Anaïs Ebayilin after the match, perfectly summarizing the collective state of mind that carried her team.
Eyes on the Final Against Lyon
PSG will face Olympique Lyonnais in the final on May 10, 2026 at the Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes. Lyon, who dominate the league with a fourteen-point lead over Paris FC, easily defeated Strasbourg (6-0) in the other semi-final. This will be the eleventh Coupe de France final for the Parisian club, who will be aiming for a fifth title in the competition.
This season has been mixed for PSG Women, marked by an elimination in the group stage of the Champions League and a defeat in the Coupe de la Ligue final against Lyon. The Coupe de France therefore represents the last chance to save the season with a trophy. Faced with Lyon's dominance, the Parisians will be able to rely on the mental strength demonstrated during this memorable semi-final.
