Arsenal’s gem ruins Marseille’s trophy hunt

Olympique de Marseille do not often lose to Toulouse FC; they usually beat them, although their southern French neighbors occasionally manage to snatch a point with a draw — just as they did in the 2–2 league match in November. The same score line followed after more than 90 minutes in Wednesday's Coupe de France quarter-final clash, but Toulouse advanced after a better penalty shootout (4–3). The tragic figure was Ethan Nwaneri, the Arsenal FC midfielder currently on loan at the French club, whose penalty flew high over the goal. Earlier, Leonardo Balerdi had also been unsuccessful, with Kjetil Haug saving his effort, but soon afterward Geronimo Rulli stopped the attempt by Cristian Casseres Jr. and brought things back to square one. That was not enough for Marseille’s players to delight their supporters and give them a chance to cheer their team in the first national cup semi-final since 2016, when Marseille reached the final but lost to Paris Saint‑Germain FC.

Despite being the second most successful club in the Coupe de France with 10 trophies, Marseille’s supporters have not celebrated that title even once in the 21st century — the last time was back in 1989. In fact, the club has waited longer to win the cup than the league (last won in 2010) or even the Champions League (1993). And they will have to wait a little longer, because despite an excellent and productive attack, the team coached by Habib Beye has huge defensive problems. Last weekend Marseille managed to win the big derby against Olympique Lyonnais (3–2), but on Wednesday — although they led thanks to goals from Mason Greenwood and Igor Paixao — they were forced first into a penalty shootout and then to congratulate their rivals on reaching the semi-finals, where Toulouse will face either Lyon or RC Lens.

Even a penalty after just 23 seconds was not enough for the hosts to justify their status as favorites. Greenwood both won and converted it, but Yann Gboho reacted well in a crowded box after a corner about ten minutes later to equalize. Early in the second half, the stands of Stade Velodrome erupted again thanks to Paixao’s beautiful lob, but just four minutes later Charlie Cresswell made it 2–2. Nwaneri later hit the frame of the goal, which proved to be a sign of a nightmare evening for the young Englishman. Unlike the match against Lyon, when two late goals secured a comeback victory, this time the drama did not have a happy ending for the home side.

The first semi-final pairing is already known. It will feature RC Strasbourg Alsace, who on Tuesday came from behind to beat Stade de Reims 2–1 thanks to two penalties in the final ten minutes, and OGC Nice, who progressed after a dramatic penalty shootout (6–5) following a 0–0 away draw with FC Lorient. Nice have won the Coupe de France three times, but the last time the club from the Côte d’Azur lifted the trophy was in 1997 (previously in 1952 and 1954). Strasbourg have also triumphed three times in the competition — in 1951, 1966, and 2001.

COUPE DE FRANCE - QUARTERFINALS

Tuesday

Strasbourg - Reims 2-1 (0-0)

/Panichelli 83 pen, Enciso 87 pen - Zabi 90+4/

Wednesday

Lorient - Nice 5-6 on pen (0-0)

Olympique Marseille - Toulouse 3-4 on pen (1-1)

/Greenwood 2 pen, Paixao 56 - Gboho 13, Cresswell 60/

Thursday

23.10: (2.40) Olympique Lyon (3.50) Lens (2.85)

***odds are subject to change***