PARIS: Pablo Sarabia struck late to give a reshuffled Paris St Germain a 1-0 win at Ligue 2 side Lorient in the last 32 of the French Cup on Sunday.
Midfielder Sarabia found the back of the net to send the Ligue 1 leaders through along with Angers, Dijon, Montpellier and holders Stade Rennais, who were 2-0 winners at Athletico Marseille.
PSG, who have won the Cup a record 12 times, started at the Moustoir stadium, where they have often struggled, without Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and first-choice keeper Keylor Navas.
Sarabia, however, headed home from Thiago Silva’s cross 10 minutes from fulltime after the visitors had been on the back foot in a poor first half.
Earlier, holders Stade Rennais wrapped up victory in the first half at Marseille’s other club, Athletico, who play in the fifth division, with goals by Hamari Traore and Raphinha.
Fellow Ligue 1 teams Olympique Lyonnais, St Etienne, Lille and Olympique de Marseille also qualified for the next round over the weekend.
Girondins de Bordeaux were the round’s major casualties, losing 3-2 after extra time at third division Pau on Thursday.
The last 16 will be played on Jan. 28-29.
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Written by Sandeep Sen
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