Les Parisiennes qualify for the final after a suspenseful evening! | OneFootball

After an intense derby in the semi-finals of the play-offs, the Paris Saint-Germain Women's team came out on top during a penalty shootout against Paris FC to qualify for the final of the D1 Arkema play-offs (2-2, 5-4 on penalties). A look back on this incredible encounter!

The encounter was an enticing one: a highly anticipated Parisian derby to kick off the semi-finals of the D1 Arkema playoffs. Our Rouge et Bleu had to overcome this obstacle to secure their ticket to the final and keep dreaming. Three days after understandably rotating his side in Reims, Jocelyn Prêcheur once again relied on his experienced leaders to form his starting eleven. Tabitha Chawinga, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Sandy Baltimore and our captain Grace Geyoro were all present at kick-off.

While Paris Saint-Germain have often asserted their dominance over their neighbours, the stakes of this clash quickly set the stage. A physical and psychological battle awaited our Rouge et Bleu against an opponent who had finished behind them in the league table. The opening minutes quickly set the tone, with total commitment in the duels and a very intense pace. There was also a beautiful clash of styles, with Jocelyn Prêcheur's team, always faithful to its desire to keep possession and impose its game plan, facing off against a Paris FC team sharp in the transition.

There was no time to get a feel of the encounter. Les Rouge et Bleu quickly weaved their web to unleash waves of attacks on the opposition's goal. A superb piece of link-up from Marie-Antoinette Katoto set the tone (11'), followed by a low shot from Tabitha Chawinga (23'), then another attempt from MAK that hit the post (30')... But football can be a story of luck. A factor that turned in favour of Paris FC as the opening goal came from a stroke of luck. Mateo took advantage of a misunderstanding to beat Katarzyna Kiedrzynek and break the deadlock against the run of play (0-1, 36'). Frustrating for our goalkeeper, who quickly responded by saving a shot from Korosec (39').

There was no question of giving up. This goal did not change the plan for our Parisiennes. United in recovering the ball, focused in its use, Jocelyn Prêcheur's players continued to increase the pressure, in a second half that was just as hotly contested. Grace Geyoro sparked the revolt by finding the net only to see her goal disallowed for offside (49'). Admirably persistent, our captain didn't flinch, promptly converting a penalty earned by Sakina Karchaoui after a superb run (1-1, 52').

But our Rouge et Bleu had to face a whole host of adverse winds... Because once again, with a lot of luck, Paris FC managed to regain the advantage with a very direct move concluded by Corboz (1-2, 56'). There was then a big half-hour left to turn the tide. Jocelyn Prêcheur's players threw all their strength into the battle, spurred on by the unstoppable Tabitha Chawinga, but our striker stumbled upon Nnadozie, who proved heroic on two occasions in just a few seconds (72', 73')... but the goalkeeper eventually cracked after an unstoppable header from Marie-Antoinette Katoto (2-2, 72'). What a show!

Despite a suffocating and frenzied end to the match where both goalkeepers performed miracles, the score did not change in regular time... So it was a penalty shootout that would decide this semi-final. And in this game, the Rouge et Bleu had the last word thanks to a decisive Katarzyna Kiedrzynek, who made a superb save to deny Bourdieu, before Grace Geyoro sealed the victory for her teammates.

At the end of a breathless derby, the Paris Saint-Germain Women's team secured their ticket for the final of this 2023-24 D1 Arkema season. They will face the winner of the second play-off between Olympique Lyonnais and Stade de Reims on Sunday. A just reward for the Parisiennes ready to conclude this campaign in the best possible way...

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