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PSG one step away from third successive French Cup trophy

Xinhua, April 27, 2017 Adjust font size:

Paris Saint-Germain were one step away from their third straight success at French Cup after beating a second-string Monaco 5-0 at Parc des Princes on Wednesday, booking a final clash with Angers at the centennial edition of the tournament.

Monaco, in hunt for their first domestic league championship since 2000, rested several of their star players, including top scorer Radamel Falcao and 18-year-old sensation Kylian Mbappe, while PSG dispatched their attacking trio, Angel Di Maria, Edinson Cavani and Julian Draxler.

Cavani and Blaise Matuidi's headers went close, before Draxler opened the scoring account for PSG after 26 minutes. The German international put the ball into an empty net after Di Maria's shot was blocked by Monaco goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis.

Cavani, who has extended his contract with the club until 2020, doubled the hosts' lead five minutes later, as he back-heeled Di Maria's right-flank cross at target.

Matuidi had another back-heel attempt, only to be denied by the post late in the first half.

The visitors conceded twice in a two-minute span early in the second half. Unlucky defender Safwan Mbae had an own goal in the 51st minute, before Matuidi extended PSG's lead to four on Di Maria's pass.

Brazilian defender Marquinhos set the game at 5-0 in the last minute through a free-kick connection.

After winning the French League Cup final 4-1 on April 1, PSG recorded another lopsided victory over their most threatening opponents Monaco this season.

Angers made their first appearance in the tournament's final over the past 60 years after eliminating Guingamp 2-0 on Tuesday.

PSG can still expect a winning treble in Ligue 1, French Cup and French League Cup as they levelled at 80 points with Monaco and had to sit second with a goal difference deficit, also playing one more game than the leaders. Endit