This week’s Coupe de France quarter-finals featured a thrilling match as favorites Olympique de Marseille were eliminated by Toulouse after a dramatic 2-2 draw, ultimately losing in a penalty shootout at the Stade Vélodrome on Tuesday night. Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri missed the decisive penalty, allowing Les Violets to advance to the semi-finals.
Les Phocéens started strong, keen to build momentum after their recent injury-time win against Lyon. Just 23 seconds into the match, Mason Greenwood was fouled in the box after a clever exchange between Facundo Medina and Igor Paixao down the left flank. Greenwood confidently converted the penalty, sending Kjetil Haug the wrong way and giving Marseille an early lead (2′). However, Toulouse equalized just 10 minutes later with another effective set-piece. Charlie Cresswell outmuscled Nayef Aguerd to head the ball toward the goal. Though Argentine goalkeeper Rulli saved it, he could only parry it into the path of Yann Gboho, who finished at the far post (13′).
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Marseille rallied back, with Vermeeren striking the post from the edge of the box and Greenwood skillfully maneuvering past several Toulouse defenders before Abdelli’s shot was saved by Haug. Toulouse held a disciplined mid to low block, forcing Marseille to retain possession rather than capitalize on counterattacks. At halftime, Habib Beye made a tactical change, bringing on Ethan Nwaneri for Himad Abdelli. Toulouse, however, created two immediate chances in the second half, with Donnum being denied by Rulli and Nicolaison’s header also saved from a corner.
Then came a stunning moment from Igor Paixao, who drove down the left and curled a spectacular shot from distance that hit the post before finding the net (55′). Whether it was intentional or not didn’t matter to the OM supporters as their team regained the lead. The excitement didn’t last long, as Charlie Cresswell equalized for Toulouse shortly after with a powerful header (59′). Minutes later, Nwaneri’s misfired shot hit the post as Marseille searched for another lead. In the closing stages, Toulouse appeared more dangerous, with Paixao clearing a well-driven corner off the line after a mishap from Rulli. The match concluded with the score tied, heading straight to penalties.
In the shootout, Dønnum, Gboho, Sidibé, and Diop converted for Toulouse, while Leonardo Balerdi missed his kick for Marseille. Rulli saved a shot from Casseres, leveling the shootout, but Aguerd’s retake found the net. All eyes were on the young Arsenal loaner Ethan Nwaneri, but he missed his attempt, sending Toulouse to the semi-finals.
GFFN | George Boxall – Reporting from Stade Vélodrome, Marseille.