Safonov the hero as PSG wins cup tie on penalties
Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Matvey Safonov saved two spot-kicks to send his side through to the next round of the Coupe de France after beating Lens 4-3 on penalties.
Safonov, deputising for the injured Gianluigi Donnarumma, saved efforts from 12 yards from M'Bala Nzola and Andy Diouf to seal their passage into the Round of 32.
The Parisien side thought it had taken the lead in the 26th minute when Achraf Hakimi finished beyond Herve Koffi, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
But Lens got in front just after the hour-mark when Nzola inadvertently turned home Abdukodir Khusanov's effort on goal beyond Safonov.
However, Lens's joy was short-lived when PSG substitute Goncalo Ramos restored parity four minutes later, firing into the roof of the net after a mistake from Kevin Danso.
Neither side could find a winning goal, with penalties deciding who would face fourth-tier Espaly in the next round of the competition.
After seeing the first six penalties of the shootout dispatched, Lens was first to blink when goalscorer Nzola saw his spot-kick saved by Safonov.
Barcola then tucked his penalty away, before Safonov kept out Andy Diouf to keep PSG's hopes of winning a 16th Coupe de France title alive.
