PARIS, DEC 23: Paris Saint-Germain began their defence of the French Cup by edging out Ligue 1 rivals Lens on penalties in the last 64 on Sunday, with goalkeeper Matvey Safonov their hero in the shootout.
Starting in the absence of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was recovering from a facial injury suffered against Monaco in midweek, Russian Safonov saved penalties from both M'Bala Nzola and Andy Diouf as PSG won the shootout 4-3 following a 1-1 draw.
Earlier, Abdukodir Khusanov had given Lens the lead in the second half in the far north of France, only for Goncalo Ramos to quickly equalise for PSG.
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. —AFP
