In the top, there have been sufficient penalty kicks to go round as Strasbourg transformed twice from the spot within the final seven minutes to scratch out a 2-1 French Cup quarterfinal win over Reims on Tuesday.
First-division Strasbourg repeatedly got here shut in opposition to its second-tier customer, however the sport was nonetheless scoreless on 83 minutes when the host was awarded a penalty after the ball struck Spanish-Irish midfielder John Patrick on the arm.
Argentine striker Joaquin Panichelli and Paraguayan winger Julio Enciso each stepped as much as take the kick.
After a face-off as neither man was ready to relinquish the ball, diminutive Argentine midfielder Valentin Barco stepped between them and ushered Enciso away.
Panichelli bravely walloped the ball in the midst of the purpose. It struck the underside of the bar, cannoned down and bounced up once more into the roof of the web because the jubilant striker bounced towards the nook flag.
Four minutes later David Datro Fofana danced previous two defenders however was introduced down by goalie Alexandre Olliero. With Panichelli substituted, Enciso had no rivals for the penalty, which he additionally drilled down the center, although alongside the bottom, and previous the diving Olliero.
That made him the highest scorer on this 12 months’s cup with six targets. He celebrated by holding his finger to his lips. “The first was for me,” Panichelli instructed BeIN Sport on the finish. “I’m very happy he was able to score the second.”
As time ran out, Patrick Zabi pulled a purpose again for the customer 4 minutes into added time.
Strasbourg certified for the final 4 for the primary time since 2001, a season when it received the cup for the third time.
With Paris Saint-Germain, winner for the final two years and in eight of the final 11 seasons, already eradicated, Toulouse winner in 2023, is the newest cup holder within the final eight.
It visits Marseille, which received the final of its 10 cups in 1989, on Wednesday after Lorient hosts Nice. Lens, whose Ligue 1 title problem is fading and which has by no means received the cup, visits Lyon on Thursday.
Published on Mar 04, 2026
