Cavani Double Secures League Cup Glory for PSG Amid Lyon Controversy
Paris Saint-Germain claimed their second trophy of the season on Saturday night, defeating Lyon 2-1 in a heated Coupe de la Ligue final that was as dramatic off the pitch as it was on it. Edinson Cavani was the hero of the evening, converting two first-half penalties to seal the win for the capital club.
PSG wasted no time stamping their authority on the match, with Cavani netting his first from the spot in the 4th minute after an early burst of pressure. The Uruguayan doubled his tally—and PSG’s lead—half an hour later, again from the penalty spot. The second spot-kick, however, would spark heated debate.
The controversy centred on the 31st-minute incident in which Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes was judged to have fouled Lucas Moura. Replays suggested the contact occurred outside the box, but referee Stéphane Lannoy pointed to the spot, prompting an angry reaction from Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas.
“How can they always make mistakes against us?” Aulas fumed after the match. “There’s no penalty outside the box!” His comments have reignited long-running frustrations in Lyon’s camp about refereeing decisions in high-stakes fixtures, and his remarks are likely to fuel discussion for days to come.
Despite the controversy, Lyon showed resilience. Alexandre Lacazette pulled one back in the 56th minute with a composed finish, giving the Lyonnais renewed hope. But PSG held firm, managing the game well in the final stages to secure the win and lift the trophy at the Stade de France.
The result caps off a bittersweet week for PSG. While they continue to dominate domestically—nearly clinching the Ligue 1 title and now adding the League Cup to their cabinet—the pain of their Champions League exit at the hands of Chelsea still lingers. Eliminated just minutes from the semi-finals, that European shortfall remains the one blemish on an otherwise successful campaign.
For now, though, Laurent Blanc’s side can celebrate yet another piece of silverware, driven by Cavani’s clinical finishing and a squad that continues to sweep all before them in France. Whether the debate over refereeing will overshadow their triumph remains to be seen, but PSG’s dominance on the field is difficult to ignore.
