PSG Holders Edge Through on Penalties in French Cup

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Paris Saint-Germain kicked off their French Cup title defence with a hard-fought victory over Lens in the last 64, coming out on top in a tense penalty shootout on Sunday. Goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, filling in for the injured Gianluigi Donnarumma, played a pivotal role in the victory by making crucial saves from M'Bala Nzola and Andy Diouf. PSG emerged victorious with a 4-3 shootout win after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Lens took the lead in the second half through Abdukodir Khusanov, but PSG's Goncalo Ramos quickly equalised to force the shootout.

The Ligue 1 leaders beat Lyon in last season's final to win the French Cup for a record-extending 15th time.

Fifth-tier minnows Espaly from south-central France will now face PSG in the next round in mid-January, in what is a dream tie for the lower-league side.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Marseille cruised to a 4-0 win away at Saint-Etienne in another all top-flight tie.

Saint-Etienne had Ibrahim Sissoko sent off before the midway point in the first half, and Marseille took full advantage as Mason Greenwood fired them ahead moments later with his 11th goal of the season.

Adrien Rabiot made it 2-0 before the break and both Luis Henrique and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg found the net in the second half.

Marseille will be at home to Lille in a heavyweight tie in the last 32.

Monaco were 4-1 winners way at minnows Union Saint-Jean in Toulouse, and will next go to Reims, who also won away at lower-league opposition on Sunday.

Rennes triumphed 4-1 at fallen giants Bordeaux, while Angers also advanced, with Auxerre the only Ligue 1 club to be eliminated on Sunday as they lost 1-0 at home to Dunkerque of Ligue 2.

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Auxerre went the way of Le Havre and Montpellier, who were both knocked out on Saturday.

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)