Les Parisiennes qualify for the final at the death!

Three consecutive victories, 13 goals scored and an impressive streak of 17 matches without defeat: the Paris Saint-Germain Women's team went into their exciting derby in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France against Paris FC with excellent momentum. A clash that Jocelyn Prêcheur approached with an enticing starting eleven, featuring Chawinga-Katoto duo leading the attack in front of a midfield led by our captain Grace Geyoro.

Against this heavyweight of French football, one could expect a real tactical battle. The start of the match quickly set the scene, outlining a balance of power between two teams with distinct styles. While our Rouge et Bleu endeavoured to dominate possession to impose their own style of play, their opponents posed threats by launching rapid counter attacks. In this game of deception, it was to be Paris Saint-Germain who struck first. And what a way to do it! Marie-Antoinette Katoto put on a show by outwitting her defenders in the box before delivering a strong cross for Grace Geyoro, who delicately back-heeled the ball into the net (0-1, 13'). A masterpiece.

This opening goal didn't encourage Les Rouge et Bleu to ease off, however. Quite the contrary. United, intelligent, committed in recovering the ball and precise in its use, Jocelyn Prêcheur's team brought all of the ingredients needed to control this match. Against the run of play, however, PFC managed to equalise with a penalty converted by Gaëtane Thiney (1-1, 28').

The key to the second half was to capitalise on our periods of domination while remaining vigilant against the cold realism of our rivals. There was no doubt: in terms of style, our Rouge et Bleu displayed a clear superiority. Jocelyn Prêcheur's side were very enterprising, driven by a Katoto-Chawinga duo combining speed and smart positional play. An unstoppable Tabitha Chawinga even allowed Paris Saint-Germain to regain the lead. Found by Thiniba Samoura in a crowded box, the forward maintained control of the ball, pivoted and unleashed a low shot that found the back of the net (1-2, 57').

That was before another dramatic turn: Sakina Karchaoui unfortunately turned the ball into her own net after a mix-up (2-2, 64'). A stroke of bad luck before the final blow. Fortune favoured the opposing side as Ribadeira unleashed a victorious shot from close range from another set piece (3-2, 71'). A cruel scenario for the Rouge et Bleu, superior in all areas of the game... But it would take more than that to discourage this incredibly resilient team. After a shot against the post from Sandy Baltimore (83'), Thiniba Samoura equalised with a marvellous strike after another classy piece of link-up play (3-3, 85'). What a spectacle!

In these circumstances, it was written in the stars that this incredible derby would end in the drama of penalties. And it was indeed our Rouge et Bleu who had the final say after Katarzyna Kiedrzynek's superb save to deny Matéo and Thiney's miss. A deserved reward for a team driven by its values and that remained united until the end.

After a rollercoaster derby, Paris Saint-Germain secured their spot in final of the Coupe de France, where they will meet another team from the Paris region, FC Fleury 91, on 4 May. A job well done before looking forward to an exciting schedule on all fronts, with another D1 Arkema match against AS Saint-Etienne next Saturday, four days before the first leg of the prestigious UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final against Sweden's BK Häcken. Mission accomplished.