Messi and Neymar can't stop PSG being knocked out of French Cup by Marseille

Goals from Alexis Sanchez and Ruslan Malinovskyi seal 2-1 win as problems mount for Paris Saint-Germain still missing Kylian Mbappe

Lionel Messi of Paris Saint Germain reacts during the French Cup round of 16 soccer match between Olympique Marseille and Paris Saint Germain at the Velodrome Stadium in Marseille, southern France, 08 February 2023. EPA / SEBASTIEN NOGIER

Alexis Sanchez, left, of Olympique Marseille and Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain in action. EPA

Lionel Messi in action with Marseille's Samuel Gigot. Reuters

Paris Saint-Germain's forward Lionel Messi fights for the ball with Marseille's defender Issa Kabore. AFP

Neymar of Paris Saint-Germain in action. EPA

PSG's Neymar, left, challenges for the ball with Marseille's Matteo Guendouzi. AP Photo

PSG's Neymar in action with Marseille's Alexis Sanchez. Reuters

PSG's Neymar reacts. Reuters

Alexis Sanchez of Marseille scores a goal against Paris Saint-Germain from the penalty spot. EPA

Marseille's Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring his team's first goal. AFP

A Paris Saint-Germain containing Lionel Messi and Neymar — although missing Kylian Mbappe — couldn't prevent the Parisians from exiting the French Cup on Wednesday at the hands of bitter rivals Marseille.

Marseille, who had only beaten PSG twice since the capital side were taken over by Qatar Sport Investment (QSI) in 2011, reached the quarter-finals thanks to an Alexis Sanchez penalty and a Ruslan Malinovskyi thunderbolt after Sergio Ramos's first-half equaliser.

"They pressed high and we did not manage to break the lines. It hurts because it was a cup game against our great rival," PSG captain Marquinhos told reporters.

"We have to do better, keep working and move forward."

Marseille coach Igor Tudor revelled in their victory.

"Amazing guys, they're champions. It's awesome for the club," he said.

PSG have now lost three times already in 2023 and the cup defeat comes less than a week before they take on Bayern Munich in their Champions League last-16 first leg.

Mbappe will also miss the Bayern clash as he continues to nurse a left thigh injury sustained in last week's 3-1 win at Montpellier.

Marseille went ahead on 31 minutes when Sanchez converted a penalty after Cengiz Under had been brought down by Ramos, giving the hosts a deserved advantage after a lively start.

Ramos, however, made up for his mistake as he headed home Neymar's corner two minutes into first-half stoppage time, shortly after the Brazilian had hit the post with an 18-yard strike.

The Stade Velodrome then came to the boil when Malinovskyi, who joined on loan from Atalanta last month, beat Gianluigi Donnarumma with a vicious half-volley from just outside the box that went into the top corner.

Ramos had a goal disallowed for offside in added time in a nail-biting finale as Marseille defended tooth and nail.