One step away from playing in a cup final in Abidjan, Les Parisiennes were hosting their neighbours from Paris FC, just one week after a convincing league win in the same derby away from home. They once again had to get the job done to secure their place in a first final this season.
Mary Earps started in goal, with Elisa De Almeida, Thiniba Samoura, Olga Carmona and Isabela Pagliari in defence, behind Korbin Albert, Grace Geyoro and Sakina Karchaoui in midfield. The attacking trio was made up of Romée Leuchter, Toni Payne Echegini and Merveille Kanjinga.
Up against determined Franciliennes, the Paris side made a strong start, though they had to be wary of counter-attacks. Twice, Kanjinga caused chaos in the opposition penalty area, without managing to break the deadlock. With the PFC players sitting deep and space at a premium, the two teams went into the dressing room level at half-time.
Right after the break, Paulo César’s players found the breakthrough. Romée Leuchter, who has been unstoppable this season, latched onto a first-time layoff from Jackie Groenen and fired a superb angled strike past the goalkeeper to put the Rouge et Bleue ahead (1–0, 47’).
The determination and drive of the Parisiennes continued to pay off. Merveille Kanjinga doubled the lead just before the hour mark, in similar fashion to the Dutch forward, with a fierce diagonal shot that pierced the net (2–0, 58’).
The job was done and it was sealed by Rasheedat Ajibade, who met with a cut-back inside the box to send the Parisiennes on their way to Abidjan (3–0, 88’)! The Rouge et Bleue will face the winner of the other semi-final between Olympique Lyonnais Féminin and Dijon FCO Féminin.