Whoever says they didn’t at least secretly hope, even a little, is probably lying. Tiny Dunkirk was leading 2-0 against Paris Saint-Germain in the 45th minute of the French Cup semifinal, played in Lille instead of Dunkirk’s stadium due to high demand. The match took place 80 kilometers away, in front of around 45,000 spectators, instead of the mere 4,000 that Dunkirk’s home ground can accommodate. Thousands of home fans traveled to support their heroes in their battle against a team whose value, according to Transfermarkt, is 42 times greater. None of them will be upset that Luis Castro’s men bravely fell against a team that is aiming for the European title this May.Dembélé cut the Dunkerque lead in half after this goal 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/5yh7QFCyud— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 1, 2025 Dunkirk held a 2-0 lead until stoppage time of the first half, but then Ousmane Dembele managed to reduce the deficit to 2-1 in the last moments, making it clear to the underdog that they shouldn’t get their hopes up. As soon as the second half began, PSG equalized at 2-2, and young Desire Doue completed the turnaround in the 63rd minute. Ousmane Dembele was not satisfied with just one goal—he wanted to fully claim the role of the dream thief of ordinary citizens, so he scored again in the third minute of stoppage time, sealing a 4-2 victory and sending PSG to the final. There, they will face the winner of the other semifinal between Caen and Reims.🚨🚨GOAL: MARQUINHOS FINDS THE EQUALIZER FOR PSG GAME ON!!!! Dunkerque 2-2 PSG pic.twitter.com/JyGEkxJjSv— Goal Ultraverse (@goalultraverse) April 1, 2025 It seems as if PSG is destined to accomplish everything they desire this season. They will win another French league title, they are favorites in their Champions League quarterfinal clash against Aston Villa, and the French Cup would be just the icing on the cake. In such a spectacular season, it wouldn’t have made sense for a small lower-league team to take down one of Europe’s most exciting sides. A similar situation happened in the round of 32 when an even smaller club than Dunkirk, Espaly, was leading PSG at halftime and had a draw until the 88th minute. However, in the end, PSG advanced without needing extra time or penalties.Désiré Doué goal to make it 3-2 PSG! 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/D51ix95CQV— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 1, 2025 This time, we saw a similar scenario, except that this time, Paris even had a two-goal deficit at one point. PSG’s defensive quartet—Nuno Mendes, Lucas Beraldo, Marquinhos, and Achraf Hakimi—clearly underestimated their opponent. Dunkirk’s first goal was scored by Vincent Sasso in the 7th minute with a header after a set-piece. The lead was doubled by Saudi player Muhannad Al-Saad in the 27th minute when he reacted brilliantly to a long clearance from his goalkeeper, slipping between Marquinhos and Beraldo to increase PSG’s deficit. It felt like everything fell apart for the hosts after Dembele’s goal for 2-1 in the dying seconds of the first half. When Marquinhos equalized in the 48th minute, it was as if everyone knew what was coming—a complete collapse of Dunkirk. Desire Doue completed the comeback with a goal in the 62nd minute, and then Dembele added his second goal in stoppage time, his 30th in all competitions this season.COUPE DE FRANCE – SEMIFINALTuesdayDunkerque – PSG 2-4 (2-1)/Sasso 7, Saad 27 – Dembele 45, 90+3, Marquinhos 48, Doue 62/Wednesday22:00: (5.40) Cannes (3.70) Reims (1.60)***odds are subject to change***
