The Coupe de France always has a few surprises in store. Before this evening’s clash between Rennes and Marseille (9 p.m.), six matches were played this Sunday. Toulouse, reigning champion, was eliminated by Rouen (3-3) after penalties, resident of the third division. Other surprises, the overwhelming victory of Saint-Priest (N3) against Romorantin (N2) with a score of 4 to 1 and the success of Sochaux against Reims (2-2), on penalties.
In the other matches, Clermont was largely beaten by Strasbourg (1-3) while Lille held its own against Racing CF (0-1). Finally, Le Havre won by a goal against Châteauroux (0-1).
The defending champion of the Coupe de France, Toulouse, was knocked out in the round of 16 on Sunday by Rouen, a National team (D3), 12 shots on goal to 11 (3-3 at the end of regulation time). ). Trailing 1-0, then 3-2, and after having equalized at the start of stoppage time, the TFC failed on its 12th attempt, during an endless penalty shootout, before Abdeljalil Salhoune transformed his decisive shot for the Normans.
Losc won with difficulty 1-0 against the Racing Club de France (RCF), although playing in National 2, and qualified for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France on Sunday in Chambly (Oise). Lille suffered a lot and even conceded more chances than the opposing team. Paulo Fonseca’s men had to rely on Hakon Arnar Haraldsson, who converted a free kick obtained at the edge of the area (32nd).
Sochaux, which plays in National, the equivalent of the third division, achieved a feat by eliminating Reims (2-2, 5 shots on goal to 4), sixth in Ligue 1, in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France on Sunday . Already winners in the previous round of Lorient, another L1 club, the Sochaliens won again at home and continue their great adventure in the Coupe de France, seven months after their relegation to the National and after having come close to filing for bankruptcy.
Strasbourg qualified for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France after easily winning (3-1) in Clermont on Sunday in a match between two Ligue 1 clubs who will face each other again January 28 in the championship. Abakar Sylla (32nd), Habib Diarra (48th) and Dilane Bakwa (60th) allowed the Alsatians to lead largely, before Mehdi Zeffane (88th) reduced the score.
Le Havre qualified for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France on Sunday, logically winning (1-0) at Châteauroux (National). The Normans, 11th in Ligue 1, made the difference just before the break with their young striker Steve Ngoura (18 years old) who was making his first start with the pros.
