Heading to the final!

Three days after making headway in the Coupe de France at Lorient's expense, Paris did the business in Reims, winning 3-0 to clinch their place in the Coupe de la Ligue final.

Not that Thomas Tuchel's men had it all their own way as Xavier Chavalerin's early acrobatic effort showed (4'). Up against the stubborn hosts, the visitors would have to redouble their efforts to break down Ligue 1's stingiest defence.

Set-pieces proved a way through: Neymar Jr. sent over a corner for fellow Brazilian Marquinhos and the captain for the night dominated Marshal Munetsi in the air to head home the opener (0-1, 9').

The Rouge et Bleu created another stir when Kylian Mbappé broke clear and tumbled in a challenge with goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic (12').

Against a compact, well drilled side, it wasn't easy to create chances, but another Neymar Jr. set-piece was touched on by Alaixys Romao and Ghislain Konan could only help the ball into his own goal (0-2, 31') to give Thomas Tuchel's men a comfortable half-time cushion.

Though the hosts sought to up their goal threat after the break, they rarely troubled Keylor Navas, and Kylian Mbappé (60', 62') and Neymar Jr (63') both sowed panic in the home rearguard. Moussa Doumbia (64') shot across goal and Boulaye Dia (68') had an effort on target, but when Munetsi was dismissed for a wild challenge on Marco Verratti (73'), the game was all but up.

There was time for the Parisians to add to the scoreline. Tanguy Kouassi pounced after a Leandro Paredes volley had been pushed against a post by Rajkovic, a first senior goal for the teenager that was roundly celebrated by all his teammates (0-3, 77').

Paris now face Olympique Lyonnais (who knocked out Lille on Tuesday) in the final at the Stade de France on 4 April. But first, a Ligue 1 trip to Lille beckons on Sunday.