Nantes (L1) – Laval (L2): 0-1
FC Nantes continues its dark spiral. After four consecutive defeats in Ligue 1, the Canaries were unable to force a decision against Stade Lavallois on Saturday at La Beaujoire. Worse, the Nantes residents were surprised by a goal from Malik Tchokounté after returning from the locker room. Despite several unsuccessful attempts, all repelled by the brilliant tango goalkeeper Maxime Hautbois, the 2022 winner and 2023 finalist of the Coupe de France stopped in the round of 32. The situation is seriously complicated for Jocelyn Gourvennec.
Le Puy (N2) – Dunkirk (L2): 2-1
It’s the feeling of the round of 16! Le Puy has once again defied the predictions by bringing down Dunkerque, an L2 club, under the leadership of Issiaka Karamoko. The 22-year-old striker scored twice in the first period, first with a shot at the near post (14th), then victoriously returning a shot from Bryan Adinany that was repelled by an upright (32nd). Despite the gap being reduced by Gaëtan Courtet (77th), the National 2 resident resisted until the end against the Dunkirk side reduced to ten per hour to continue his formidable epic in the round of 16.
Bordeaux (L2) – Nice (L1): 2-3
Bordeaux sold its skin dearly. But Nice logically enforced the hierarchy at Matmut Atlantique (2-3). The Niçois opened the scoring in the first period with an opportunistic goal from Evann Guessand (35th) before making the break at the start of the second period with a penalty from Morgan Sanson (47th). The Aiglons midfielder scored a double after a favorable counterattack (60th), thus immediately responding to the reduction of the gap by Jérémy Livolant (59th). Gaëtan Weissbeck brought the Girondins within one goal with a great strike (76th), but that did not prevent the Gym from validating its ticket to the round of 16.
Trélissac (N2) – Brest (L1): 1-2
Trélissac believed he had accomplished the feat. But Brest will be there for the round of 16. The third in Ligue 1, however, seemed set to fall by the wayside when he found himself trailing at the start of the last quarter of an hour on a beautiful volley from Benoît Bisson (75th). Unfortunately for the National 2 club, he immediately conceded a penalty which allowed Brestois to equalize through Kenny Lala (78th). And Martin Satriano came to crucify him by scoring the Breton victory goal at the very end of the match (89th). Cruel.
Rodez (L2) – Monaco (L1): 1-3
The definition of winning coaching. While AS Monaco had all the difficulty in the world to destabilize the Rodez team, the entry of Maghnes Akliouche at half-time changed the face of the Monegasques. Failed 1-1 at the break, Adi Hütter’s men quickly made the difference after returning from the locker room thanks to their captain Wissam Ben Yedder’s hat-trick. Already a scorer in the previous round in Lens, the French international disgusted the Ruthenian defense to take his team to the round of 16.
“Longoria invented the concept of the disposable footballer”
Valenciennes (L2) – Paris FC (L2): 2-1
Quickly led by Ilan Kebbal’s nice goal, the Valenciennes overthrew the Parisians on Saturday at home. First thanks to the immediate equalizer from Foe Ondoa (15th, 1-1), then just after returning from the locker room on a gag goal. On a long shot from Julien Masson, it was the unfortunate Timothée Kolodziejczak who, by deflecting the ball with his thigh, lobbed his goalkeeper Rémy Riou (48th, 2-1). With this round of 16 at least, the Northerners are having their best run in the Coupe de France since 2012.