Mbappe strike takes PSG through to French Cup final

Mbappe saw Rennes goalkeeper Steve Mandanda save his 37th-minute spot-kick at the Parc des Princes, but three minutes later the France captain found the net with a shot that took a deflection on its way in. It was Mbappe's 39th goal of the campaign for PSG in all competitions, and he appears certain to break the 40 mark for the third time in four seasons.

PSG will play Lyon, 3-0 winners against second-tier Valenciennes in Tuesday's first semi-final, in the final in Lille on May 25 as the capital side look to add to their record tally of 14 victories in the French Cup. They had won the competition six times in seven seasons before missing out in each of the last two campaigns, with Nantes lifting the trophy in 2022 and Toulouse succeeding them last year.

The final at the end of next month could end up being Mbappe's last game as a PSG player, with the 25-year-old having informed the club of his intention to depart after this season when his contract expires. The Ligue 1 season concludes on May 18, although the Champions League final will be played in London on June 1 - PSG are still alive in Europe and face Barcelona in the first leg of the quarter-final next week.

Luis Enrique's PSG side sit 12 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with seven games left having already won the French Champions Trophy at the turn of the year, meaning they remain in contention to claim a clean sweep of honours this season. They did not have it easy against a Rennes team who drew 1-1 in Paris in the league a month ago and who competed well for much of Wednesday's game.

However, the home side almost went ahead inside 12 minutes, when Ousmane Dembele released Mbappe to accelerate away towards goal, only for Mandanda to get a big touch on his shot,