🇫🇷 PSG knocked out of the Coupe de France on penalties 😱 | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain will not compete in the final of the Coupe de France for the first time since 2014 after being knocked out at the last-16 stage by Nice on penalties.

Lionel Messi looked sharp on his first start for the club in 2022, and he linked up with Mauro Icardi to set Marco Verratti up for a shot in the game’s first flashpoint in the 22nd minute but the Italian dragged his effort wide.

Nice had their first sight of goal moments later, with Amine Gouiri stinging the palms of Gianluigi Donnarumma with a free-kick from 30 yards out.

PSG struggled to break down the stern defence from the visitors but Messi was involved again just before half-time, found in the box by Verratti but directing his shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Those struggles continued into the second half but the but it was Presnel Kimpembe who came closest to breaking the deadlock when he was found at the back post from a corner with his faint attempt being cleared off the line.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side almost stole the game right at the death when substitute Kylian Mbappe managed to get on the end of a corner and poked a shot which flew across goal before being dealt with by the Nice defence.

The tie was to be decided by penalties, with the first five spot-kicks dispatched before Leandro Paredes saw his effort saved by Marcin Bułka.

Donnarumma then denied Andy Delort, Julian Draxler and Gouiri made no mistake and so the shootout went to sudden death.

18-year-old Xavi Simons was dealt the cruel blow of being the penalty taker to see his effort from 12 yards saved by Bulka to decide the tie.