The round of 16 of the Coupe de France took place on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 February. Between the qualification of OM against PSG, that of Lyon against Lille and Lens against Lorient, here is what to remember from the eight meetings.
OM (L1)-PSG (L1) : 2-1
In its Vélodrome volcano, Olympique de Marseille achieved a historic feat by eliminating PSG for the first time since 1991 in the Coupe de France by winning 2-1. OM scored through Alexis Sanchez from the penalty spot (31st) and Ruslan Malinovsky with a superb shot at the edge of the area (57th). Paris, deprived of Kylian Mbappé, injured, had equalized just before the break by Sergio Ramos, with a header on receipt of a corner from Neymar (45th + 2).
Lyon (L1)-Lille (L1): 2-2 (4-2 at TAB)
A real relief for OL. The Rhone club, which is going through a complicated season in Ligue 1, came close to elimination against Lille, but won on penalties (2-2, 4-2 TAB). Laurent Blanc’s men had however started the game well by leading 2-0 against the Northerners thanks to goals from Cherki (8e) and Lacazette (21e). But the Mastiffs came back to score by David (29esp) et Zhegrova (64e). During the crucial session, the Lyonnais were more decisive.
Toulouse (L1)-Reims (L1) : 3-1
No worries for Toulouse. Very fit since the start of the year, the TFC has made short work of Stade de Reims (3-1), which ends its series of 16 consecutive games without defeat. Impeccable since their loss in Marseille (6-1), at the end of December, the Toulousains scored by Diouf (21ecsc), Aboukhlal (34e) and Chaïbi (61e). The Rémois had reduced the mark by Cadjus (89e).
Vierzon (N2)-Grenoble (L2): 0-1
End of the adventure for the “Petit Poucet”. Vierzon, resident of 4th division (N2), was beaten and eliminated by Grenoble (1-0).
Auxerre (L1)-Rodez (L2): 2-3
It’s the surprise of the evening. Rodez, a Ligue 2 club, went to offer the scalp of Auxerre, resident of Ligue 1 by winning (2-3), at Abbé Deschamps. The penultimate in Ligue 2 took the lead in the 3rd minute through Joseph Mendes. M’baye Niang brought the Auxerrois up (45th + 2) but Killian Corredor in the 68th then Park Jung-bin on a penalty in the 76th smashed AJA. Jubal reduced the score in added time (90th + 1). Rodez thus equals his best performance in the Coupe de France by reaching the quarter-finals for the second time in his history.
Paris FC (L2)-Annecy (L2): 1-1 (5-6 AT TAB)
Paris FC was eliminated at home against Annecy in the Ligue 2 duel (1-1, 6-5 on pens). It took 16 shots on goal to decide between the two teams.
Angers (L1)-Nantes (L1): 1-1 (2-4 AUX TAB)
FC Nantes snatched their qualification on penalties on the lawn of Angers (1-1, 4-2 pens), and keeps alive their chances of a double after their coronation in the competition last season. Against the red lantern in the Championship, the Canaries almost lost the derby on a “gag” goal signed Abdallah Sima after a clearance by goalkeeper Rémy Descamps blocked by his own defender. But Florent Mollet equalized in extremis, before a perfect penalty shootout.
Lorient (L1)-Lens (L1): 1-1 (2-4 AUX TAB)
Lens is the last team qualified for the quarter-finals. And the Sang et Or had to go through the penalty shootout to win their ticket. They had however opened the scoring thanks to Angelo Fulgini (21st), who arrived during the winter transfer window, and led for almost the entire meeting. But the Lorient people never gave up and managed to equalize in the last minutes on a perfectly rolled free kick from Enzo Le Fée (85th). A few moments later, the captain of the Merlus sent his shot on goal on the crossbar before Jean-Louis Leca diverted that of Ibrahima Koné and Facundo Medina validated the Lensoise qualification. Franck Haise’s men will face Nantes, defending champion, in the quarter-finals.
