Malawi women’s national team captain Tabitha Chawinga scored twice to help Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) force a 3-3 draw, sending the game to penalties, where they eliminated Paris FC from the French Women’s Cup semifinals on Sunday.
The 27-year-old striker’s effort helped PSG reach the final, where they will face Fleuryal, a team that knocked out defending champion Lyon 1-0.
PSG scored first through Grace Geyoro just 13 minutes into the first half, but the home side equalized 28 minutes later through Gaetane Thiney from the penalty spot to end the half one-all.
They regained the lead after 56 minutes in the second half, thanks to Chawinga turning inside the penalty box and shooting into the right bottom corner.
But Paris equalized in the 64th minute through an own goal by defender Sakina Karchaoui, who headed the ball into her net after the keeper had left her line.
Paris took the lead seven minutes later when forward Louna Ribadeira connected on a corner kick, causing the visitors to panic.
With only 6 minutes remaining, Chawinga became a PSG hero, beating a defender inside the penalty box and firing a powerful shot into the right corner.
The match had to be decided by a penalty shootout, and PSG won 3-4 after two Paris players, Clara Mateo and Thiney, missed their spot kicks.
‘I want to win this cup’- Chawinga
Chawinga currently has four goals in the competition. She scored twice in the quarterfinals as her team defeated CPB Brequigny 0-4.
She is now level on goals in the competition with Lyon forward Eugenie le Sommer, whose team has been eliminated, which allows Chawinga to win the top scorer award if she scores in the final.
Reacting after the match, Chawinga said, “It was a difficult match and they kept on scoring. I thank God we progressed and that we are in the final.
“I am also excited that I scored and that I am a joint top scorer. Hopefully God will give me another goal in the final. It is my prayer that I score and that we win this cup, which we won in 2021/22.”
Chawinga is also the leading scorer in the French Women’s League, with 13 goals.
