Kylian Mbappé scored five goals, including a 12-minute hat trick in the first half, as Paris Saint-Germain beats Pays de Cassel 7-0 at the French Cup on Monday to set up a round-of-16 match at next rival Marseille.
It was Mbappe’s first hat trick since France’s World Cup final defeat to Argentina on Dec. 18. He has scored a total of 25 goals in 24 games this season and 196 overall for PSG — four short of Edinson Cavani’s club record.
“We came here to respect this team by playing at our level. That’s what we did and we’re very happy,” Mbappé said. “It was a great opportunity for them and also for us, because it’s a reminder for us that we come from amateur football and it’s important to keep this link. Even if it’s only for one game.”
Pays de Cassel held their defense for almost 30 minutes before Mbappe broke in and started letting the goals in. He became the first PSG player to score five goals in a competitive match.
PSG coach Christophe Galtier had Mbappé and Neymar play throughout the 90 minutes and rested World Cup winner Lionel Messi for the game played at northern side Lens’ home stadium.
Speaking on the outcome of the match, Christophe Galtier said; “Kylian is a goal scorer. He is obsessed with scoring — clearly. He scored quite a few last year, 56 or something for the calendar year. It was important that he and Neymar played the whole game here.”
Galtier also confirmed that Kylian Mbappé is now the vice-captain of the PSG team.
Neymar had a yellow card for a rash late tackle in the 26th. Galtier looked increasingly agitated with his underperforming team when Mbappé put record 14-time cup winner PSG ahead from Nuno Mendes’ cross in the 29th minute.
Neymar got the crowd in an uproar when he scored PSG’s second goal with a skilled effort before Mbappé netted with a lob and a slick chipped finish.
Mbappé grabbed his fourth after a mishap from the goalkeeper before Neymar set up Carlos Soler midway through the second half and Mbappé slotted in from close range. He almost got a double hat trick but a late shot was blocked.
Marseille won the last of 10 French Cups in 1989 and has lost three times in the final since, including to PSG in 2016.
Another all-first-division clash sees Lyon hosting Lille with the ties held Feb. 7-8.
PSG hosts Bayern Munich on Feb. 14 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 game.
