OM vs Toulouse: Coupe de France Upset – Highlights & Reactions
Marseille’s Coupe de France dreams were dashed Wednesday night at the Orange Vélodrome, falling to Toulouse in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw. The defeat extends a frustrating run for Olympique de Marseille, who haven’t progressed past the quarterfinal stage of the competition since 2016.
The match began with immediate drama. Just two minutes into the contest, Mason Greenwood converted a penalty, giving Marseille an early lead. Still, Toulouse responded quickly, with Yann Gboho leveling the score at 1-1 in the 13th minute. The first half settled into a tense rhythm, with both sides probing for an advantage.
The second half saw Igor Paixão restore Marseille’s lead in the 56th minute, sending the home crowd into raptures. But the joy was short-lived. Charlie Cresswell, proving a threat throughout the evening, headed home an equalizer just four minutes later, setting the stage for a dramatic finish and, a penalty shootout.
The shootout proved to be a nerve-wracking affair. Both goalkeepers, Rulli for Marseille and Haug for Toulouse, made crucial saves. It was Toulouse who prevailed, winning the shootout 4-3. Leonardo Balerdi and Ethan Nwaneri both missed their spot-kicks for Marseille, while Cristian Casseres was the only Toulouse player to falter.
The result marks a significant upset, with Toulouse becoming the first Ligue 1 team to eliminate two other top-flight clubs in a single Coupe de France edition this season, having previously dispatched Rennes in the round of 16. Habib Beye, the Toulouse manager, made a notable decision in selecting Nwaneri to take a penalty, a choice he later explained was based on the player’s composure and training performance.
For Marseille, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow. Coming off a 3-2 league win against Lyon just three days prior, the team appeared to be building momentum. However, the Coupe de France offered a realistic path to silverware, and their elimination leaves them focusing solely on Ligue 1 and potentially European qualification. The match also highlighted recurring vulnerabilities within the Marseille squad, as noted by observers, with the team struggling to maintain control and capitalize on their advantages.
The shootout drama wasn’t without controversy. Aguerd had an initial penalty saved by Rulli, but was granted a second attempt after the VAR reviewed the goalkeeper’s positioning, deeming him to have come off his line too early. He converted the second attempt, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Marseille’s exit.
Toulouse’s victory sets up a semi-final clash against either Lyon or Lens, who play their quarterfinal match on Thursday, . They will also join Strasbourg and Nice in the final four, creating a compelling lineup for the competition’s closing stages.
The atmosphere at the Vélodrome turned sour after the shootout, with supporters expressing their frustration through jeers and, in some instances, launching flares onto the pitch. The scenes reflect the growing discontent among the Marseille faithful, who have seen their team consistently fall short of expectations in recent years.
This defeat extends Marseille’s trophy drought, which now stretches back to 2010. Despite significant investment under owner Frank McCourt, the club has been unable to deliver the consistent success demanded by its passionate fanbase. Toulouse, meanwhile, will look to build on this impressive cup run, having previously lifted the Coupe de France trophy in 2023.
The match statistics reflected the closely contested nature of the game. Both teams had their chances, with Gerónimo Rulli making several key saves for Marseille throughout the 90 minutes and extra time. However, it was the clinical finishing from the penalty spot that proved decisive, sending Toulouse through to the semi-finals and leaving Marseille to contemplate another season without major silverware.