Monaco end fourth-division Rumilly-Vallieres’ Cup fairytale

Rumilly Vallieres Ferhat Yuce (right) fights for the ball with Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouuameni during the French Cup semi-final. (AFP)

Monaco ended the fairytale French Cup run of fourth-tier Rumilly-Vallieres on Thursday with a 5-1 semi-final win setting-up a final clash with Paris Saint-Germain. Rumilly-Vallieres, who are based in the sleepy Alpine region of Haute-Savoie, on the border with Switzerland, were only formed in 2018. They had to play nine rounds in the cup since October with wins including one walkover and three victories on penalties. On Thursday, they briefly dreamed of a final showdown with mighty PSG when they took the lead after just 20 minutes through Alexi Peuget’s effort. But seven minutes later, Monaco, who are third in Ligue 1 and still in with a chance of the title, were level when Arthur Bozon put through his own goal. Aurelien Tchouameni made it 2-1 by the interval before Wissam Ben Yedder (55th minute), Cesc Fabregas (78) and Aleksandr Golovin (82) completed the formalities. “We will remember the magical moments of our adventure such as the departure for the stadium with thousands of people in the town,” said Rumilly-Vallieres coach Fatsah Amghar. “It’s a moment that will remain unforgettable.” Monaco formed a guard of honour for their unheralded opponents after the game. The final takes place in Paris on Wednesday where Monaco will be looking to avenge their defeat to PSG in the last final they played — a 1-0 extra-time loss in 2010. PSG squeaked past Montpellier 6-5 on penalties in their semi-final on Wednesday. Spot kicks were required after the two sides were all square at 2-2 after normal time in Montpellier.Suspended Neymar to miss French Cup final Neymar, though, will not play for PSG in next week’s French Cup final after a booking in Wednesday’s semi-final saw the Brazilian incur a suspension. The world’s most expensive player was shown a yellow card not long after coming on as a late substitute in the last-four tie in Montpellier, triggering a one-game ban that had been hanging over him since he was sent off in a Ligue 1 match against Lille last month. PSG could still appeal the ban, thereby potentially releasing him to play against Monaco in the final at the Stade de France, which will go ahead behind closed doors. The former Barcelona superstar, who last week signed a contract extension to keep him in Paris until 2025, scored the only goal when PSG beat Saint-Etienne in last season’s final.