Nnadozie’s Brilliant Saves End Paris FC’s 19-Year Wait for Coupe de France Title 🇫🇷 🏆⚽️

CALAIS, FRANCE – Chiamaka Nnadozie etched her name into Paris FC folklore on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, delivering a performance for the ages as her side dramatically ended a 19-year wait for a major trophy. The Nigerian international goalkeeper was the undisputed hero, saving two crucial penalties in a nail-biting shootout to secure the 2025 Coupe de France Féminine title against arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain after a tense 0-0 draw at the Stade de l’Épopée.

The final, a tightly contested affair between the French capital’s top women’s teams, lived up to its billing, showcasing resilience, tactical battles, and moments of individual brilliance. However, after 90 minutes of regulation time failed to separate the sides, the spotlight turned squarely onto the penalty spot, and onto the exceptional talents of Nnadozie.

Having joined Paris FC five years prior, the 24-year-old cemented her status as a club legend. In the high-pressure shootout, she first denied PSG’s Korbin Albert with a superb save before decisively tipping away Jade Le Guilly’s effort in sudden death, sealing a momentous 5-4 victory on penalties and sparking wild celebrations among the Paris FC players, staff, and travelling supporters.

This triumph marks Nnadozie’s first piece of club silverware since her decorated career in Nigeria with Rivers Angels and adds another significant honour to her international achievements with the Super Falcons. For Paris FC, it represents a landmark achievement, their first Coupe de France title since 2005 and their first trophy of any kind since winning the Division 1 Féminine back in 2006.

A Tightly Contested Final

The match itself was a compelling, if goalless, encounter. Paris FC started brightly, nearly taking the lead within five minutes through the veteran Gaëtane Thiney, whose shot fizzed just wide after an impressive team move. Elisa de Almeida’s dangerous cross shortly after narrowly evaded Romée Leuchter, signalling Paris FC’s early intent.

PSG, boasting stars like Grace Geyoro and Marie-Antoinette Katoto, soon grew into the game, probing the Paris FC defence. A crucial intervention from Griedge Mbock thwarted one promising Paris FC attack, highlighting the defensive solidity on display. Thiney did find the net midway through the first half, only for the celebrations to be cut short by the offside flag.

Both keepers were called into action. Clara Mateo and Kessya Bussy tested Nnadozie and her PSG counterpart, Constance Picaud, respectively. The most heart-stopping moment of regular time came deep in stoppage time. A curling effort from PSG’s Melween looked destined for the top corner, but Nnadozie produced a spectacular, acrobatic fingertip save to push the ball over the bar, showcasing the form that would later define the shootout.

Shootout Drama and Nnadozie’s Heroics

With the deadlock unbroken, the final proceeded to the ultimate test of nerve: penalties. Théa Gréboval converted Paris FC’s first, matched by PSG’s Leuchter. Disaster briefly struck for Paris FC as Mateo hit the woodwork, allowing Katoto to give PSG the advantage.

But then came Nnadozie. Diving expertly to her right, she parried away Korbin Albert’s attempt, leveling the psychological playing field. After successful conversions kept the tension high, the shootout entered sudden death. Nnadozie stood tall once more, reading Jade Le Guilly’s intentions and making the decisive save that clinched the cup, sending her teammates rushing towards her in jubilation.

A Historic Night for Paris FC

The victory was laden with significance. It provided a fitting potential farewell cup appearance for the influential Thiney and was a testament to the tactical acumen of head coach Sandrine Soubeyrand, who guided the team through a challenging cup campaign.

Nnadozie: The Penalty Specialist

This match-winning display is the latest chapter in Nnadozie’s growing reputation as one of the world’s elite penalty-stoppers. Her incredible record includes:

• UEFA Women’s Champions League (2023-24): An astonishing five penalty saves in just eight matches, denying star players from Arsenal, Wolfsburg, and Real Madrid’s Olga Carmona.
• Domestic League: Key saves against Le Havre’s Ines Benyahia and Guingamp’s Aissata Traore.
• International Stage: Famously saving a penalty from Canadian legend Christine Sinclair at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, crucial saves during the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers, and a notable save (though later retaken) against France at the 2019 World Cup.

Chiamaka Nnadozie’s performance in Calais wasn’t just a match-winning display; it was a history-making one, cementing her legacy and delivering long-awaited silverware back to Paris FC in the most dramatic fashion .