IKONÉ STUNS PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN AS PARIS FC REACH FRENCH CUP LAST 16

Former Paris Saint-Germain academy product Jonathan Ikoné struck a late winner against his old club as Paris FC shocked the holders 1-0 on Monday to book their place in the last 16 of the French Cup.

Paris Saint-Germain player Ousmane Dembélé looks defeated after his team's elimination by Paris FC in the round of 32 of the Coupe de France on January 12, 2026, in Paris. © Anne-Christine Poujoulat, AFP

Paris Saint-Germain academy product Jonathan Ikoné came back to haunt his former club on Monday, scoring the only goal in Paris FC’s 1-0 win over their city rivals at the Parc des Princes.

Substitute Ikoné stabbed home in the final 20 minutes to stun the dominant, record 16-time winners and reigning champions, who had controlled much of the contest.

PSG lost their first home match in the competition since 2022 and suffered their first last-32 defeat since 2014.

“We’re really happy, we managed to defend well,” Ikoné told France Télévisions.

“I’m really happy with my goal, just a joy, and I hope it’s not my last goal,” he added.

Before kick-off, the hosts’ former captain Mamadou Sakho — who began his career at Paris FC before crossing the city — announced his retirement on the pitch.

The sides had met earlier this month in the first top-flight Paris derby since 1990, when Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé scored in a 2-1 win for the Champions League holders.

Since then, PSG have lifted the French Champions Trophy, edging rivals Marseille on penalties in Kuwait last Thursday.

Newly promoted Paris FC, backed by luxury goods group LVMH and Red Bull, sit 15th in Ligue 1, two points above Nantes in the relegation play-off place.

Luis Enrique’s side dominated the first half, with Georgia winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia threatening without breaking the deadlock.

Paris FC winger Alimami Gory had the visitors’ best early chance before being forced off injured five minutes before the interval, replaced by Ikoné.

Ten minutes into the second half, a sloppy pass from Paris FC centre-back Moustapha Mbow gifted PSG a golden opportunity, but goalkeeper Obed Nkambadio punched away Gonçalo Ramos’ curling effort.

With PSG still on top with 15 minutes to play, Paris FC broke on the counter and Ikoné poked home to make it 1-0, refusing to celebrate against his former club.

During seven minutes of injury time, Doué went inches away from an equaliser with a header before Nkambadio produced another superb save to deny Vitinha’s long-range strike, capping a stellar individual performance.

In the final match of the round, Marseille travel to sixth-tier Bayeux, with the tie moved elsewhere in Normandy and played in front of a full house at Caen’s Stade Michel-d’Ornano.

Bayeux, home of the centuries-old tapestry, are the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, with the draw for the last 16 taking place before kick-off in northern France.

On Saturday, former Wolves coach Gary O’Neil began his reign as Strasbourg manager with a 6-0 win over fourth-tier Avranches.

- FRANCE 24 with AFP

KYLIAN MBAPPÉ SAYS LIKELY REAL MADRID TRANSFER 'DAYS' AWAY

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 Kylian Mbappé said he will announce his next career move in a "few days" after winning the French Cup with Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.

Mbappé is widely expected to join Real Madrid having already confirmed he will leave PSG when his contract expires this summer.

After his team's 2-1 win over Lyon in the final, Mbappé was asked by reporters why he is yet to formally reveal his next club.

"Because I think the best thing to do is to finish saying goodbye," the France captain said in the mixed zone of the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille.

"All I wanted was to finish well. There is a time for everything. I will announce my new club in due course. It will be only a few days away so there is no problem."

Pressed by journalists if that meant the transfer would be official before the national team meets to prepare for the European Championship, Mbappé added: "I still don't know, there are still some details. The most important thing was to win and to experience these final emotions."

Mbappé spoke about what he felt playing his last game for PSG after seven seasons.

"Nostalgia, emotion; It was cool. I always understood where I was, this unique experience of playing for PSG. Playing for PSG, I would recommend it," he said.

"I was lucky enough to experience it. What I have had, I wouldn't experience anywhere else. Now I'm going to experience something else and I'm sure that will be magical too."

- ESPN

FRENCH CUP TEAM LOSES 12-0 AMID 8,000-MILE ROUND TRIP

 

Golden Lion proved no match for Ligue 1 side Lille. SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images

Martinique side Golden Lion suffered a humbling 12-0 defeat by Lille in the French Cup on Saturday midway through an 8,000-mile round trip to play the match.

Golden Lion, the champions of Martinique and one of several overseas teams from the French territories to enter the Cup, were drawn against Ligue 1 Lille in the round of 64 and their journey began on Wednesday with a direct flight to Paris.

Three days later, they were no match for Lille, however, as the top-division side recorded their biggest-ever victory.