Chateauroux 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain: Late goals allow Galtier's men to qualify for the Coupe de France

Paris Saint-Germain left their biggest stars behind and survived a scare to progress in the Coupe de France, claiming a 3-1 win at Chateauroux on Friday.

An early goal from Hugo Ekitike was canceled by Natanael Ntolla before half-time, and PSG had to wait until the 78th minute for Carlos Soler to come home for the Ligue 1 side before Juan Bernat does add some shine to the late score. on.

Christophe Galtier has included 16-year-old Warren Zaire Emery in his much-modified starting line-up, without Lionel Messi, Neymar or Kylian Mbappe as Ekitike, Pablo Sarabia and Soler were selected in attack.

Châteauroux, who play in the third tier of French football, belied their lowly 14th-place finish in the National Championship with a determined performance against their famous opponents, but PSG eventually reached the knockout stages.

The visitors took the lead in the 13th minute when Ismael Gharbi's first ball from the edge of the box into Ekitike's path allowed the young striker to finish cleanly at the left post with the outside of his right foot.

Jonathan Mexico closed in on the home side with a 26th-minute close-range shot that was deflected by a Vitinha dive, while Paul Delecroix made a good save to his left from a volley from Gharbi shortly after.

The scores were level eight minutes before the break, but after some neat work down the left, former Lille and Saint-Etienne striker Nolan Roux collected the ball for Ntolla, whose shot on goal was deflected by Keylor Navas by 17- El Chadaille Bitshiabu, one-year-old PSG defender.

Galtier called for more experience in the second half as Sergio Ramos and Fabian Ruiz came on just after the hour mark, and the coach finally saw his side regain the lead as Vitinha lifted a cross at the far post which allowed Ekitike a header, Soler following up on Delecroix's initial save.

Bernat made it 3-1 in stoppage time after running on a ball from Ruiz and shooting low and hard at Delecroix to seal the victory for PSG.

What does this mean? PSG is struggling without its star attackers

It was ultimately a successful night for PSG, but they worked hard and didn't particularly look to score until Soler and Bernat struck late.

Galtier made seven changes to the side that lost 3-1 at Lens, including three teenagers. Aside from them and the 20-year-old Ekitike, it was an experienced line-up featuring Navas, Marquinhos and Bernat, among others.

Unfamiliarity has undoubtedly been a factor and Messi, Neymar and Mbappe will be back soon anyway, but in cup football a win is all that matters.

Chateauroux shows its heart

Maxence Flachez's team gave the Ligue 1 champions a big test, certainly much bigger than expected.

They fought well, especially in the second half when they won 59% of their duels, but in the end it was the greatest quality of the Parisians who said so.

PSG infrequent but sharp shooters

Without their main line, PSG didn't seem to have anyone who wanted to shoot early in the game, having only five shots in the first hour.

They finished the match with 12 attempts in all, just one more than their opponents, but PSG's accuracy was far superior, hitting the target with 10 shots while Chateauroux only tested Navas twice out of 11 .

What's next?

Châteauroux will have a league trip to Red Star FC next Friday, while PSG return to Ligue 1 at home against Angers on Wednesday.