Kylian Mbappe smashed a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain cruised into the final of the French Cup with a thumping 5-1 win at Lyon. The World Cup winner took his goal tally in all competitions to 30 during a win that was made easy by Fernando Marcal being sent off just before Neymar put the French champions ahead in the 64th minute from the penalty spot. The defeat Lyon ends a five-match unbeaten run that included an impressive <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/juventus-manager-maurizio-sarri-at-a-loss-for-words-after-defeat-to-lyon-1.985175">1-0 win over Juventus</a> in the Champions League and the weekend's triumph over local rivals Saint-Etienne. "It was a solid, serious display full of concentration," said PSG manager Thomas Tuchel. "Mbappe's been very strong these last few weeks. He had a tough time in Dortmund [<a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/teenager-erling-haaland-passes-goals-milestone-quicker-than-lionel-messi-kylian-mbappe-and-cristiano-ronaldo-1.981124">where PSG lost 2-1 in the last-16 first leg</a>] playing in a different position. It was clearly difficult for him against Dortmund. "With Neymar, they're very strong together. After Dortmund, Mbappe has responded brilliantly after every training session and during the games against Dijon and Lyon. "He's very strong, he uses his speed very well, he's very decisive. He's really in good shape." Tuchel pointed to Neymar as the team's catalyst, with the Brazilian benefiting from playing regularly after returning from a rib issue. "For him, the most important thing is that he plays. He's a player who helps us to do extraordinary performances, with extraordinary results. He has to play, and it's good that he played 90 minutes. "It is also good to have another game to play before Dortmund against Strasbourg. He needs that, he has the ability to play a lot, and when he plays a lot, he is super strong." Mbappe equalised for the away side with a simple tap-in just three minutes after Martin Terrier had given the raucous home fans hope with a neat 11th-minute opener. The 21-year-old was also key to PSG taking the lead in the 64th minute from the penalty spot. Collecting the ball out on the left wing, he casually saw off two Lyon defenders before floating over a cross to fellow forward Edinson Cavani, who controlled the ball only for Marcal to then handle before the Uruguay striker could let his shot go. Neymar slotted home the subsequent spot-kick after confirmation of the handball by VAR, while Marcal was handed his second yellow card. "I prefer to say nothing about the penalty," said Lyon manager Rudi Garcia, who side face PSG in the League Cup final next month. "When you are 10 against 11 playing such a strong team it's no longer a contest." Mbappe made sure of the Parisian's visit to the Stade de France next month with a superb solo effort with 20 minutes left, embarrassing Bruno Guimaraes and Marcelo before calmly slotting past Anthony Lopes. Pablo Sarabia added a fourth with a stinging low strike 11 minutes later, and Mbappe completed his hat-trick in stoppage time, tapping home Neymar's cross after good work on the left from the world's most expensive footballer. Saint-Etienne and Rennes meet in the second semi-final on Thursday.
