For their final match of 2025 (a year that will go down as an exceptional vintage) Les Parisiens, fresh from winning the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, travelled to La Beaujoire to take on Fontenay in the Round of 64 of the Coupe de France, with the aim of closing out the year in the best possible way.
However, beware of the famous magic of the cup upset. Against the team from Vendée, Luis Enrique fielded a very young starting XI, notably including Ndjantou, Boly and Renato Marin from the get go. The latter two were making their professional debuts for PSG. In fact, never in the club’s recent history have academy-trained players under the age of 22 played so much: nearly 20% of the available playing time this season has been taken up by a “Titi”.
Berlado, Zabarnyi and Hernandez started in defence, with Warren and Mayulu in midfield alongside Ndjantou, and Doué, with Dembélé (captain) and Ramos up front. It was the Portuguese striker who got the first chance of the evening, rising high to meet a header that ultimately missed the target (9').
After a scare for Boly, Zabarnyi then failed to convert a well-delivered free kick at the far post (21'). Les Parisiens were on top but had to remain vigilant against a Vendée side playing very (perhaps too?) aggressively. The breakthrough came moments later when Dembélé burst through midfield and spotted Doué’s perfectly timed run in behind. The Parisian number 14 made no mistake in his one-on-one with Renou, calmly finishing into the back of the net (0–1, 25')
Boly was eventually forced to make way, with Neves coming on to replace him and Mayulu shifting to the right flank (30'). The Rouge et Bleu remained unfazed and quickly doubled their lead. Ramos, held by the shorts, won a penalty that Dembélé calmly converted (0–2, 33').
After the break, and following a substitution with Ndjantou (injured) replaced by Jangeal, Doué set the opposing defence on fire and nearly scored a spectacular goal, only for the Vendée side to clear it off the line in miraculous fashion (52'). The miracle didn’t repeat itself a few moments later as Ramos, unmarked in front of goal, latched onto a Mayulu cross to score the third of the evening (0–3, 53'). The same crafty Ramos was lurking in the opponent’s box when a poorly executed back pass fell to him. He rounded the goalkeeper and extended his side's lead (0–4, 58').
In this second half, Noah Nsoki joined Boly and Marin among the debutants, coming on to pick up his very first professional minutes. Another symbol of the trust Luis Enrique places in PSG’s Youth Academy.
