Coupe de France: Lens beat Lyon on penalties to reach semi-finals

Lens looked set for a comfortable evening after racing into a two-goal lead before half-time. But Lyon fought back in the second half and forced a dramatic penalty shootout with a stoppage-time equaliser from teenage substitute Rémi Himbert. The Sang et Or ultimately held their nerve from the spot to book a semi-final clash with Toulouse.

Lens dominant before the break

The visitors made the brighter start and were rewarded after 23 minutes. A move down the right saw Saudi international Saud Abdulhamid test Rémy Descamps, whose parry fell kindly to Florian Thauvin, the former Marseille winger tapping home from close range to give Lens the lead.

Lens continued to press aggressively and doubled their advantage moments before half-time through a stunning strike from Abdallah Sima. Released on the counter-attack by Thauvin, the Senegalese forward drove forward before unleashing a powerful finish past Descamps to make it 2–0.

At the break, Pierre Sage’s side looked firmly in control while Paulo Fonseca’s Lyon struggled to create meaningful chances.

Lyon fight back

Lyon gradually improved after the restart and began to pin Lens deeper in their own half. Their pressure paid off in the 67th minute when Roman Yaremchuk reduced the deficit.

Teenager Himbert delivered an excellent cross from the left and Yaremchuk powered a header beyond Hervé Koffi’s replacement Matthieu Risser, the ball going in off the post to reignite the contest.

The hosts then pushed relentlessly for an equaliser, with Yaremchuk striking the crossbar earlier in the half. Their persistence finally paid off deep into stoppage time.

In the 94th minute, captain Corentin Tolisso battled to reach a loose ball ahead of Risser and squared for 18-year-old Rémi Himbert, who showed remarkable composure to chip home from a tight angle and send the Groupama Stadium into delirium.

Penalty heartbreak for Lyon

The match went straight to penalties, and the shootout remained level until the decisive moment arrived with Lyon defender Moussa Niakhaté seeing his effort saved.

Lens converted all five of their kicks, and Thauvin stepped up to seal victory, smashing his penalty under the crossbar to send the Sang et Or into the last four.

Semi-final awaits

Lens will now host Toulouse in the semi-finals as they continue their pursuit of a first Coupe de France title in the club’s history. For Lyon, the defeat extends their long wait for silverware, with the club still searching for a first trophy since 2012.

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