Edinson Cavani breaks Saint-Etienne hearts

Paris Saint-Germain have beaten Saint-Etienne in the last 16 of the Coupe de la Ligue courtesy of a brace from Edinson Cavani.

The Uruguayan hitman broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, although he had threatened to do so moments earlier by flashing across the goal after the ball fell to him on the edge of the area.

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It was a nice finish from the 26-year-old, who took the ball down at the back post from Lucas Digne's cross before rounding Stephane Ruffier and slotting home.

Brazilian midfielder Lucas Moura nearly made it 2-0 in the 29th minute, only to be denied by Ruffier.

The goalkeeper was called upon once more before the half was out, as this time Ezequiel Lavezzi was the man left frustrated.

Marco Verratti should have scored from the rebound, but he wasted the opportunity by squaring to Adrien Rabiot and allowing Les Verts to clear their lines.

Cavani squandered another opportunity to double the lead in the 74th minute, and was made to pay four minutes later when Melvut Erding finished Fabien Lemoine's cross to get the visitors back on level terms.

The match went into extra time and looked destined to be decided on penalties, but Cavani had other ideas as he dispatched Jeremy Menez's cross to break ASSE hearts two minutes before the end.