Les Vertes miss out on the final by the narrowest of margins

With the Salif-Keita stadium sold out for the first time on Saturday, the nearly 1,500 spectators initially saw Paris Saint-Germain take the initiative in the first quarter of an hour. Driven on by the ‘Peuple Vert’, the Stéphanoises showed their commitment and failed to carve out any clear-cut chances. Paris pushed forward, but Katoto's header and Karchaoui's shot went wide. On the half-hour mark, Emma Templier won back-to-back one-on-ones with Geyoro, aided by the duo of Fiona Bogi and Easther Mayi Kith, and on a powerful free-kick from Karchaoui. The final 15 minutes of the first half saw neither side take the lead. Marc-Antoine Brihat's side were well on top, but were unable to take full advantage of Paris's wanderings to go ahead.

Resistance was the watchword on the return to the pitch. And it was Emma Templier's crossbar that was the first to save Kanjinga's shot. On the hour mark, Coach Brihat made his first change with the exit of Sarah Cambot and the entrance of Alexandria Lamontagne. Paris also turned the ball over, and the decision proved to be a winning one: Emma Templier made another superb reflex save to keep out Geyoro's shot. Albert inherited the ball and fired in a shot from an angle that took the Saint-Etienne defence by surprise (ASSE 0-1 Paris SG, 66'). Driven on by a crowd that believed in their comeback, Les Vertes gave nothing away. Alexandria Lamontagne made the difference from the left with a bit of luck. The Parisian defence panicked, clearing the ball right in front of an empty net. Sarah Stratigakis made no mistake to level the scores (ASSE 1-1 Paris SG, 72nd). Solène Champagnac and Adèle Connesson then made way for Maud Ferrière and Amandine Pierre-Louis. At the end of the show, it was announced that there would be at least 7 minutes of extra time. In an atmosphere that was more than ebullient, the Parisians pushed forward and came up against the Stéphanoises, who wanted to make the most of their opportunity. The dream finally came to an end after ... 9 minutes of added time! Geyoro gave PSG a 100% Parisian final against Paris FC (ASSE 1-2 Paris SG, 90e+9).

Les Vertes' journey to the final came to an end. Cruelly beaten by a Paris side that was conquering but feverish. The fans were there, as were the players. From now on, they will have to make the most of the remaining league games to ensure their survival and finish the season in the best possible position.

Gamesheet

ASSE 1-2 Paris SG
Coupe de France Féminine semi-final
Saturday 8 March, 3pm, Stade Salif-Keita
Half-time: 0-0
Goals: Stratigakis (72nd) for ASSE; Albert (66th), Geyoro (90th) for Le Havre
ASSE: Gignoux, Bogi, Mayi-Kith, Martinez, Tapia, Champagnac (then Ferrière, 73rd), Bataillard, Stratigakis, Connesson (then Pierre-Louis, 73rd), Caputo, Cambot (then Lamontagne, 62nd). Coach: Marc-Antoine Brihat.

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