It is AS Monaco who emerge victorious from this shock of the 1/32 finals of the Coupe de France. This Sunday afternoon, the Monegasques won on penalties against RC Lens (2-2 / 6-5 after TAB).
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At the end of a completely crazy TAB session with 2 huge goalkeepers, it’s the@as_monaco which will see the round of 16 of #French Cup 🏆#RCLASM pic.twitter.com/qNF9FXcghh
— Coupe de France (@coupedefrance) January 7, 2024
Hütter’s men therefore join the next round and will know their future opponent in the evening.
On the other hand, it’s a big disappointment for Racing Club de Lens who lose at home in front of their supporters for their restart match.
Franck Haise’s players will have to quickly raise their heads for the resumption of Ligue 1 with a clash of the titans against Paris Saint-Germain on January 14 at the Stade Bollaert.
An ultra-efficient AS Monaco in the first period
It was the long-awaited shock of these 32nd finals of the Coupe de France. RC Lens against AS Monaco. A very high level match between two playful and offensive teams.
From the start of the game, it is the Monegasques who will set the tone. Starting at kick-off, Wissam Ben Yedder air-conditioned the Bollaert stadium from the start. The French international receives a poor throw from Florian Sotoca in the area and punishes Brice Samba with a powerful right-footed shot on the ground, who can do nothing (1-0.1).
A goal which puts ASM on the right track in this first act. The Principality club dominated the first minutes of the game and created numerous situations.
A domination punctuated by a second Monegasque goal scored by Maghnes Akliouche (2-0.21). The French junior international is perfectly served at the far post in the area by Kassoum Ouattara and takes the opportunity to finish with the flat of his right foot.
Just before half-time, the Lensois reacted thanks to a technical festival and a calm finish from Faitout Maouassa (2-1, 43rd).
Lensois awakening
Generally shaken during the first 45 minutes, Franck Haise’s men will wake up and change the appearance of the match. As soon as they returned from the locker room, the Lensois gained the upper hand over their opponents in all areas of the game. A new approach which will pay off. From the hour mark, Florian Sotoca found the fault and tied the two teams (2-2, 63rd).
The two teams will go blow for blow at the end of the match but will not be able to escape the penalty shootout.
A high-tension session with two high-quality goalkeepers: Brice Samba, on the Lens side, and Radoslaw Majecki. It was ultimately the Monegasque who gained the upper hand over the Lensois despite 3 attempts stopped by the Frenchman.
Magassa scored the last victorious penalty for Monaco and sent his team to the 1/16 finals.
