Shocks and surprises marked the start of the 32nd finals of the Coupe de France this Friday evening. While Lille and Troyes assumed their status, Haguenau and Espaly created a sensation by eliminating hierarchically superior clubs. Discover all the results of this evening full of emotions!
The magic of the Coupe de France has struck again at the start of the 32nd finals! As Ligue 1 clubs entered the fray, the spotlight was focused on the performances of the “big guys” against the little ones. If some have assumed their status, others have bitten the dust at the start. Summary of an evening rich in emotions.
Lille and Troyes ensure, Dijon sinks
No fear for the LOSCthe first resident of the elite to open the ball. Despite a reshuffled team, the Mastiffs had of Rouen (National) on the smallest of margins thanks to a goal from Ismaily. Enough to approach the rest of the competition calmly. In a similar vein, Troyes made short work of Metzyet a Ligue 2 team. A clear 3-0 success which testifies to the ambitions of Estac.
Everything was not so simple for other teams accustomed to the Coupe de France games. Annecy (L2) had to work hard to dismiss GOAL FCa modest National 2 club. The same goes for Laval, promoted to Ligue 2, which was only able to get rid of Mérignac (R1) in the penalty shootout. A fateful session which, however, was unfavorable to Dijon. The National club was eliminated by Espaly (N3).
Haguenau and Espaly, heroes of the evening
The hierarchy has sometimes been completely shaken up, to the delight of amateur football. The Alsatian Tom Thumb Haguenau, resident of National 2, humiliated Boulogne-sur-Mer (National) 4-1. A heroic performance for a club which dreams of a course in Calais or Quevilly. In the same vein, Espaly (N3) created a sensation by taking out Dijon on penalties. The magic of the Cup has struck again!
Other notable results
- Large 5-0 success for Bastia (L2) against RC Saint-Joseph (DH)
- Close match between GOAL FC (N2) and Annecy (L2): 1-2 defeat for the amateurs
- Qualification in pain for Laval (L2) against Mérignac (R1) on penalties
This first salvo of the 32nd finals, contested mainly between teams of lower ranks, did not lack spice and twists. It foreshadows shocks at the top for the next rounds, with the arrival of the big names from Ligue 1 and the still alive hopes of the little thumbs.
The Coupe de France has this magical power to transform simple football matches into fairy tales or nightmares. That’s all its beauty!
A lover of the Cup
Once again, the Old Lady of French football delivered a festival of emotions. Favorite or outsider, no team is safe from disillusionment or can deprive itself of dreaming. It's all the salt of this very special competition which, each season, writes new pages of its legendary epic. Looking forward to the round of 16 for new thrills!
