Despite a number of COVID- and injury-related absences in the Parisian ranks - including Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr - PSG dominated their away game against Vannes OC thanks mainly to the brilliance of one Kylian Mbappé, whose stellar 2-21-22 form continued as he compiled a superb hat-trick to hit the 150-goal mark with the capital club.

"It's an honour. Scoring so many goals for such a big club is always nice," said the 23-year-old, who is now just six goals behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic but fifty behind the club's all time top-scorer Edinson Cavani on 200. "There are only three of us, and the gap between us is closing more and more. I'm lucky enough to play alongside two great players. I know that Ibrahimović isn't far off, but the most important thing is that we're through and that we keep preparing well for the matches coming up."

While those inclined to betting would probably put money on Mbappé's overhauling Ibrahimovic in the second half of the current campaign, Mbappé is out of contract in June and could well leave the club in second position on the all-time scorers chart.

Eyes on the prize

However, in the meantime, the France prodigy is staying focused on the task at hand as he looks to keep breaking records and winning titles.

"It's important because in the cup, if you lose, you're out, but we stayed focused from start to finish," said the man whose second goal, a curler from just outside the area, was the pick of the bunch. "We were always trying to play with enough intensity to show them and ourselves respect. We won 4-0, we kept a clean sheet, we weren't put in any danger, and we scored some great goals. We're through to the next round, and we'll carry on preparing to get going again in the league."

The next stage of PSG's Coupe de France title defence comes in the round of 16, to be played on 29 and 30 January 2022.

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