Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defeated Lyon 2-1 in the French Cup final, securing the domestic double in what marked Kylian Mbappé’s last game for the club on Saturday.
France winger Ousmane Dembele and Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz scored for PSG in the first half, while Lyon defender Jake O’Brien netted a consolation goal in the second half.
This victory allowed PSG to complete the league and cup double for the first time since 2020 when they achieved a domestic treble, including the now-defunct League Cup.
Mbappé celebrated energetically after the final whistle, hugging and high-fiving his teammates. The PSG staff lifted and tossed him into the air in celebration.
“You feel a bit more the weight of things because you realize that it’s really over,” Mbappé told broadcaster beIN Sports. “When I said goodbye to the Parc des Princes, there were still some games left, so you are still focused on what awaits you. Now, I have nothing left with PSG. But I’m very happy to have been able to finish with a trophy.”
Despite their loss in the final, Lyon secured a spot in the Europa League by finishing sixth in the league.
Dembele opened the scoring in the 22nd minute by heading home a cross from Nuno Mendes. Ruiz doubled the lead in the 34th minute, converting a rebound after his initial header was blocked by O’Brien.
Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri made several outstanding saves in the opening minutes, denying Bradley Barcola and Warren Zaire-Emery. However, he misjudged the flight of the ball when Mendes crossed for the opener.
O’Brien reduced the deficit to 2-1 by heading in a corner in the 55th minute. PSG, which has struggled in the air this season, nearly conceded from another corner in the 64th minute, but goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma tipped a header from Lyon left back Nicolas Tagliafico over the bar.
“The players are disappointed but let’s not forget that we must also be proud of what we have done,” Lyon coach Pierre Sage told broadcaster beIN Sports.
Lyon, who were bottom of the league in December, amassed more points than any other club in the second half of the season to finish sixth.
Mbappé made several attempts to score in his final outing for PSG. A curling shot from the edge of the box in the 20th minute didn’t trouble Perri, and he volleyed over the bar in the 41st minute.
Over his seven seasons with PSG, Mbappé won 15 trophies, including four French Cups. Although he didn’t add to his tally in his final game, he departs as PSG’s all-time top scorer with 256 goals in 308 appearances.
“I’m happy to have been part of its history and to have made it a bit,” Mbappé said.
The French Cup final was overshadowed by violence as Lyon and PSG supporters clashed on a highway leading to the venue a few hours before kickoff. Supporters threw flares, and windows on buses filled with supporters were smashed. Some buses were set on fire.
The match was relocated to Stade Pierre Mauroy in northern France due to preparations for the Olympic Games. Villeneuve d’Ascq became the first city outside the Greater Paris area to host the French Cup final since the competition’s inception in 1917.
