Paris Saint-Germain won 3-1 at Saint-Etienne in the French Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday to remain on course to defend their domestic treble.
PSG lost 2-1 away to Lyon on Sunday night for their first domestic loss since March last year – a run of 46 games – but Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani settled nerves, when he scored from Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 12th-minute pass.
Brazilian defender Marquinhos pounced at the back post in the 35th and, after Saint-Etienne midfielder Valentin Eysseric pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, Brazilian winger Lucas grabbed PSG’s third goal in injury time.
Ahead of their crucial Champions League second-leg match at Chelsea next week, however key midfielder Blaise Matuidi limped off with a thigh injury in the second half.
A spirited Saint Etienne, pumped up by 36,000 boisterous fans, hit back when a Valentin Eyserric penalty bought it back to 2-1 just before the break, before substitute Lucas made sure of the victory.
Defending champions PSG have won the French Cup on nine occasions, second only to arch-rivals and ten-time winners Marseille, who play Granville on Thursday.
Having won their match, PSG will travel to Lorient in the semi-final.
Lorient beat Gazelec Ajaccio 3-0 while second-division Sochaux defeated Nantes 3-2 after extra time and next face Marseille or non-league Granville, who play Thursday.
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