Annecy (L2) created a huge surprise by eliminating Marseille (2-2, 7 tab to 6) to join Toulouse, Nantes and Lyon in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France, before the draw on Thursday at 8:50 p.m. on France 3. OM, who are chasing an eleventh trophy in the event since their last success in 1989, spoiled their great victory against Paris Saint-Germain (2-1) in the previous round. The disappointment is immense for an almost full Stade Vélodrome, which has already seen its people lose the Ligue 1 Classic on Sunday against the same PSG (3-0). But Leonardo Balerdi missed his shot after an intense penalty shootout.
The feat is immense for the Haut-Savoie club, which reached the last four of the Coupe de France for the first time in its history. For the third time in a row, the FCA went to “penos”, after Belfort in 1/16 and Paris FC in 1/8th. Jordan Veretout (29th) had however opened the scoring for Marseille, but Moïse Sahi (53rd) and Kevin Mouanga (59th) pierced the Olympian defense. Five minutes from the end, Annecy goalkeeper Thomas Callens, a penalty specialist, stopped that of Alexis Sanchez.
At the last second, OM thought they were taking their destiny into their own hands, when the subtle lob of a “kid”, François Régis Mughe, 18, allowed them to equalize.
Toulouse reached the semi-finals of the Coupe de France by crushing Rodez (6-1), last in Ligue 2, at home on Wednesday. The TFC, 11th in Ligue 1 and whose only notable title to date is precisely a Coupe de France won in 1957, was already leading 3-0 after only ten minutes of play, and 5-0 at halftime. An offensive festival in the form of a tribute to Just Fontaine, to which a poignant minute of applause was devoted before the meeting, in the city where he died at the age of 89.
This did not prevent his team from adding to the bill in the second act, with a penalty converted by Dallinga (51), author of ten goals in all competitions since the start of 2023. Rodez, thanks to a beautiful strike from Wilitty Younoussa, will have at least saved the honor (69). With this quiet qualification for the semi-finals, the TFC equals its best result in the Coupe de France (1985 and 2009) and will have the opportunity to spice up the end of its season while its maintenance in L1, with more than ten points. advance on the relegation zone, is almost certain.
In the other matches, defending champion Nantes overcame third in Ligue 1, Lens (2-1), thanks to Andy Delort’s first two goals in yellow and green colors, both on penalties. The Sang et Or had however opened the scoring by their captain Seko Fofana (28th), but the former Nice equalized three minutes later. The FCN can still keep the Coupe de France, as in 2000 after its victory in 1999.
