Paris

Based in a town with a population of roughly 16,000 -- one-fifth the number of seats at the packed Stade de France -- Les Herbiers impressed PSG fans and even opposing coach Unai Emery with its spirited performance in the David-vs-Goliath tie here on Tuesday.

PSG dominated the play, but Les Herbiers left the pitch with its heads held high after conceding only two goals -- one off a penalty -- to France's best club.

Even without the injured Neymar, who was watching from the stands, PSG led on the attack by Edinson Cavani, Angel Di Maria and Kylian Mbappe had the potential to inflict a rout on Les Herbiers.

In fact, the underdog could have found itself trailing 3-0 by the 20th minute but for the wood-work around its net, which thwarted Giovani Lo Celso on two occasions and Mbappe once.

The inevitable goal came in the 26th minute on a well-placed shot by Lo Celso from outside the box.

Mbappe thought he had doubled the lead with a strike in the 50th minute only for the goal to be allowed after the Video Assistant Referee spotted a hand-ball by PSG's Marquinhos.

Cavani squandered a pair of chances before drawing a penalty and converting from the spot to make it 2-0 in the 74th minute.

Tuesday's triumph made PSG Brazilian defender Dani Alves the most-decorated footballer in history, with 38 trophies for club and country.

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