PSG Upset: The French Cup Shocker You Missed | Olé

They are one of those particular stories that are rarely seen. Paris FC’s victory against PSG in the round of 16 of the French Cup was not only the first in its history for the modest team against a world giant. Nor is it about crossing out the monarch from the competition, who had just been a two-time champion and won eight of the last 11 editions. Far from it the fact that their stadiums are separated by just a street. There is a much bigger background. One that goes to the depths of the beginnings of Paris FC.

Yes, because the classic of the French capital has its beginning in a union that became a rivalry. Paris FC was founded in 1969 and, a year later, merged with Stade-Saint Germain to create PSG.. But the good vibes were short-lived: just two years later, the paths diverged and a spicy fight began. But it is one that had an important stoppage: in 1979, Paris FC was relegated and spent many years roaming around the minor categories in France. The last official meetings between the two had been in the 1978/79 campaign, with Carlos Bianchi as one of the PSG figures (they played a friendly in 2022). And, days before the French Cup, on January 4, they returned to play in Ligue 1. 48 years passed…

In all that time, Paris FC sought to return to the top flight while its rival grew by leaps and bounds. And since it was having a hard time, the club began to look for other ways: in 2020, Bahrain investment funda country in the Persian Gulf, kept 20% of the institution’s shares at a time when it was almost down to the Third Division, with a promise of promotion within a maximum period of three years and competing head-to-head with PSG.

Although the objective was not met, time was not wasted and the contributions continued: in 2024, the club was bought by the Arnault family -one of the richest in France- y Red Bullwho promised to make a strong investment in the team. Even Jurgen Klopp, RB’s director of football, toured the facilities more than once. In addition, it was agreed that the Jean-Bouin stadium, a field next to the Parc des Princes, would be where the team would begin playing at home for the 2025/26 season.

And the fundamental step came in May 2025: after finishing second in Ligue 2, Paris sealed its promotion to the top category. Now, in addition to playing against their classic team again, the objective is not to be relegated and “ follow a different path to that of PSG”according to President Pierre Ferracci a few months ago. Currently, they are two points behind the last team occupying the red zone (Nantes). But the illusion of fighting as equals against his classic is not lost…