Paris: Neymar scored a second half penalty as four-time defending champions Paris Saint-Germain toiled before overcoming 10-man Amiens 2-0 to reach the semifinals of the French League Cup Wednesday. PSG will travel to Rennes in the semis at the end of the month.
PSG were again without leading scorer Edinson Cavani, who also missed Sunday’s French Cup rout of Rennes after returning late from his Christmas and New Year break in Uruguay.
Amiens’ hopes of springing an upset were heavily undermined by the dismissal of goalkeeper Regis Gurtner on 34 minutes for a foul on Kylian Mbappe after charging out of his area. And Neymar eventually made the visitors’ numerical advantage count by winning and converting a spot kick eight minutes into the second half.
Adrien Rabiot wrapped up a remarkable 35th consecutive win in domestic cup ties for PSG with a glancing header from an Angel Di Maria corner in the 78th minute.
The goal was given following consultation with the video assistant referee (VAR) – being used for the rest of the competition as a test ahead of its expected arrival in Ligue 1 next season – after goal-line technology failed to award it.
agence france-presse
