Lyon Féminin took another significant step toward an unprecedented quadruple by defeating Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 in the Coupe de France final on Sunday, adding the trophy to their earlier Coupe de la Ligue success. The victory, played at the Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes, was never in doubt after a blistering first-half performance that saw Lyon race to a 3-0 lead.
Despite the absence of star forwards Kadidiatou Diani (planned) and Ada Hegerberg (last-minute fitness), Lyon's attack proved irresistible. Melchie Dumornay broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute with a dazzling individual run, cutting inside and finishing coolly. It was the first of three goals in a 17-minute spell that left PSG shell-shocked. Vicki Becho then produced a moment of magic, meeting Jule Brand's cross with a textbook header from an improbable angle in the 35th minute. Five minutes later, she volleyed home another Brand delivery to make it 3-0 before halftime.
PSG pulled one back early in the second half through Kanjinga, who capitalized on a rare defensive lapse. But any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Lindsey Heaps scored the fourth goal in the 75th minute, a composed finish after a slick passing move. Coach Jonatan Giraldez praised his team's response: "We kept a lot of tranquility and reacted well. It's difficult to make a perfect match."
The win marks Lyon's 11th Coupe de France title, and their first since 2023. For Giraldez, in his first season at the helm, it is another confirmation of the team's dominance. "The fact that we scored those three goals in the first half allowed us to manage the emotions and tactical plan more easily," he said. "In terms of preparation, motivation, and mental attention, the team approached the match very well in just a few days."
Lyon's pursuit of a quadruple now continues on multiple fronts. They remain unbeaten in the Arkema Première Ligue regular season and will host Nantes on Saturday in the playoff semifinals. A victory there would set up a title decider on May 29, where they could claim a 19th national championship. Then, on May 23, they face Barcelona in the Champions League final in Oslo, seeking to recapture the European crown they last held in 2022.
The depth of the squad has been a decisive factor. With Diani and Hegerberg unavailable, Becho stepped up with a two-goal performance, while Brand provided two assists. "It's one more trophy, we move forward toward our objective. We are ready," Becho said. "But there are no easy matches. People from the outside think it is easy because we are OL and there are big scores, but we work hard to achieve this."
Lindsey Heaps, who has been a key figure in midfield, acknowledged the fatigue but emphasized focus: "We are a bit tired, but yes, the happiness remains the same. We must stay concentrated in every training, every meeting, and every match for the rest of the season. We can celebrate and then quickly move on to other things."
The result also extends Lyon's dominance over PSG, whom they have now beaten four times this season, including in the Coupe de la Ligue final. PSG, despite their resources, have been unable to consistently challenge Lyon, and Sunday's final highlighted the gap between the two sides.
As the players lifted the trophy in front of a modest celebration, the message was clear: this is just another step. With a league title and a Champions League crown still within reach, Lyon are on the brink of history. The quadruple is not just a dream — it is a realistic target.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.