Coupe de France Crédit Agricole, quarter-finals, 05/03/26
Lens qualified for the Coupe de France semi-finals in beating Pierre Sage’s former Lyon team at the Groupama Stadium on penalties. Florian Thauvin and Abdallah Sima gave the Artois side a two-goal lead before Roman Yaremchuk and Rémi Himbert wiped out the visitors’ two-goal cushion. Moussa Niakhaté missed his spot-kick when Lens scored all of theirs.
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The Match
Pierre Sage returned to his former Groupama Stadium home as Lens took on Lyon for the fourth Coupe de France quarter-final, whose winner will face Toulouse in the semi-finals. The visitors were very much on top in the opening exchanges. Lens’ industrious double pivot of Adrien Thomasson and the brilliant Mamadou Sangaré dominated Lyon’s diamond midfield
Lyon marginally grew into the game, but the hosts badly struggled to string together coherent phases of attack, although it should be noted that Paulo Fonseca – who turns 53 today – remains without Malick Fofana, Pavel Sulc, Afonso Moreira and Ernest Nuamah.
Lens eventually opened the scoring courtesy of Florian Thauvin. The 2018 World Cup winner was right on cue to pick up the pieces as Rémy Descamps spilled Saud Abdulhamid’s long-range effort. Lyon barely responded, but their shortcomings upfront were obvious as Endrick made no impact.
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On their behalf, Lens were purring and hurting Lyon on the counter. Descamps saved well from Odsonne Edouard before half-tume, but he was well beaten by Sima’s top-corner screamer. Set up by Thauvin, the former Brighton striker was a surprise inclusion in Sage’s line-up as he replaced Wesley Saïd, who sustained an injury during the warm-up.
The second half pretty much started how the first one ended. Lyon remained wasteful in the final third whereas Lens were the most threatening side. Roman Yaremchuk woke the ground up in rattling Robin Risser’s crossbar, before halving the deficit in heading home Rémi Himbert’s excellent curled cross.
Yaremchuk’s goal injected new life and belief into Lyon’s players with their Lens opponents now tiring out, although Pierre Sage opted not to introduce substitutes until the 78th minute.
But there was a final twist in the tale. Deep in injury time, Risser exited his goalline to gather a loose ball in the box, but Tolisso outpaced him and teed up Himbert, who found the back of the empty net with a sublime touch. Cue bedlam in the Groupama Stadium with penalties looming!
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Despite the loss of their lead, Lens kept their cool and scored all of their spot-kicks. Risser redeemed himself in saving Moussa Niakhaté’s low effort. Lens progress, and their quest for a maiden Coupe de France carries on.
Lyon player ratings
Rémy Descamps – 4
Nicolas Tagliafico – 5
The left-back was hooked at the hour mark and replaced by Rémi Himbert. The Lyon Academy inspired an incredible comeback. He assisted Yaremchuk’s goal before equalising with an incredible lofted volley.
Moussa Niakhaté – 4
Clinton Mata – 4
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 3
The former Arsenal full-back had a game to forget. He loses Thauvin for Lens’ opener and was too complacent and error-strewn. Pulled off with an injury and replaced by Hans Hateboer.
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Abner – 4
Tyler Morton – 4
The former Liverpool man no longer looks the intense midfielder he was in the first half of the Ligue 1 season. His influence was limited, although he might feel the strain of a first full senior season.
Noah Nartey – 4
Corentin Tolisso – 4
Roman Yaremchuk – 5
Endrick – 3
The Brazilian’s barren run continues with a frustrating display. His decision-making was poor and Paulo Fonseca seemed particularly angry with his lack of effort off the ball.
Selected Lens player ratings
Malang Sarr – 6
Mamadou Sangaré – 6
Florian Thauvin – 8
The winger was the stand-out player for Les Sang et Or and embodied his side’s ruthlessness in the first half. He scored the opener with a tap-in and teed up Sima for the second one before half-time. Kept his cool to convert Lens’ final spotkick to send his team into the semis. Big game player.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
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