Kylian Mbappé returned triumphantly to Paris Saint-Germain’s starting lineup, scoring a goal within 14 minutes to propel his team to a 3-1 victory over Nice in the French Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Having spent the previous two league matches on the bench due to coach Luis Enrique’s rotation policy, Mbappé showcased his brilliance on the field. He demonstrated his sharpness by seamlessly exchanging passes with midfielder Fabián Ruiz before slotting the ball past Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bułka for his 35th goal of the season.
Despite narrowly missing a second goal with a deflected shot off the post, Mbappé’s impact on the game was undeniable.
PSG, the record 14-time winner of the French Cup, faced a formidable Nice side, the only team to defeat them in the league this season. Bułka’s costly error led to PSG’s second goal, as Ruiz capitalized on the goalkeeper’s mishap to score into an empty net in the 33rd minute.
However, PSG’s defensive vulnerabilities were evident, allowing Nice to claw back into the game with a goal from Gaëtan Laborde just four minutes later. Despite missed opportunities from Nice’s Jeremie Boga and Jordan Lotomba early in the second half, PSG maintained their lead.
In the 60th minute, PSG extended their advantage when Lucas Beraldo capitalized on a defensive error from Nice to head in a cross and seal the victory. The French Cup semifinals will see second-tier Valenciennes take on Lyon on April 2, while PSG will host Rennes the following day.
