PSG beaten late by Paris FC in the Arkéma Première Ligue semi-final
Handball•
Paris Saint-Germain were defeated 1-0 in a dramatic play-off by their derby rivals.
The neighbours were meeting for the fifth time this season, and coming into he game unbeaten in the derby (four wins, one draw), Paulo César's side were determined to repeat last year's feat of reaching the Arkéma Première Ligue play-off final.
With a strong, vocal support behind them, the Parisians set out their intentions early. Merveille Kanjinga saw a shot turned behind for a corner (7') before Tara Elimbi Gilbert (19') and Kanjinga (21') then tried their luck from outside the area, as PFC's low block caused the visitors difficulty.
As the visitors pressed, so the home side sought to counter-attack, and Katarzyna Kiedrzynek was forced into a good save just after the half-hour mark (31'). That scare reinvigorated the visitors and Olga Carmona flashed a shot over the crossbar (37') before Isabela found the net with a superb effort (43').
The celebrations were cut short, however, as VAR spotted an offside. It was the same story shortly after the break when Rasheedat Ajibade, who had replaced Kanjinga at half-time, also found a way past home goalkeeper Mylène Chavas only for VAR to intervene (54').
Paulo César brought off Isabela and replaced her with Romée Leuchter with some 20 minutes to go, and the regular-season leading scorer came close to finding the net (69') before Elisa De Almeida struck the crossbar (70').
But PFC delivered a sucker punch with time running out: Hawa Sangaré with the decisive blow (1-0, 88') to take Paris FC through to the final against'OL Lyonnes.