With star striker Neymar out injured, Angel Di Maria staked his claim to start against Real Madrid next week by scoring two goals as Paris Saint-Germain beat a sloppy Marseille side 3-0 Wednesday to reach the French Cup semifinals.
Di Maria put French Cup holder PSG ahead on the stroke of halftime, whipping in a fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area after Marseille failed to clear the ball properly and it was played back into his path.
Marseille's poor defending led to the Argentina winger's second goal, three minutes after the break. Center half Aymen Abdennour failed to clear an easy ball — swiping wildly as it went under his foot — and Di Maria fired in his 12th goal since January.
PSG's top scorer Edinson Cavani guided in the third after Julian Draxler astutely headed the ball into his path with 10 minutes left.
League leader PSG beat Marseille by the same score on Sunday, and just as easily.
But that win was overshadowed by an injury to star striker Neymar — who cost a world record 222 million euros ($260 million) from Barcelona. He fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot and sprained his ankle late on.
Neymar is set to undergo surgery in Brazil which rules him out of Tuesday's Champions League return leg against Real Madrid, with PSG trailing 3-1.
"After an initial treatment period of three days in line with a strict medical protocol, a joint decision has been taken between the medical staffs of both Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil national team," PSG said in a statement.
In Wednesday's other quarterfinal, third-division Chambly caused an upset with a 1-0 home win against first-division Strasbourg, with midfielder Lassana Doucoure finishing from close range in the 83rd.
On Tuesday, Les Herbiers — which also plays in the third division — knocked out second-division Lens in a penalty shootout.
The last remaining place in the last four will be decided on Thursday, when Caen takes on Lyon.
NEYMAR GOES HOME
A file image of Neymar
Neymar will undergo surgery in Brazil on his fractured foot, ruling him out of next week's Champions League match against Real Madrid.
A day after PSG coach Unai Emery denied reports the Brazil star would be operated on, PSG backpedalled and announced on Wednesday that he needs surgery.
"After an initial treatment period of three days in line with a strict medical protocol, a joint decision has been taken between the medical staffs of both Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil national team," PSG said in a statement.
PSG broke soccer's transfer record last year by paying Barcelona 222 million euros ($260 million) to buy Neymar, in part with the hope that the Brazilian star would lead the club to the Champions League title. But those hopes took a massive blow when he was injured on Sunday during the French league leader's 3-0 win over Marseille. Tests later revealed he has a cracked fifth metatarsal in his right foot along with an ankle injury.
PSG said that "in accordance with the player, it has been decided that Neymar Jr. will undergo surgery in Brazil at the end of this week. He will be operated on by Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar, accompanied by Professor Saillant, representing PSG."
Gerard Saillant has carried out many operations on high-profile athletes, including the former Brazil striker Ronaldo.
After Emery said Neymar needed rest and had a chance to recover in time to play at the Parc des Princes against Madrid, the player's father, Neymar Santos, had cast a doubt on his participation to the match, saying he believed his son would need surgery.
Metatarsal injuries are common in soccer and can sometimes lead to a lengthy absence from the pitch. PSG did not say how long Neymar will be sidelined but his father Neymar Santos estimated that the recovery will take "between six and eight weeks."
