Stade de Reims Advances to Coupe de France Semifinals After Thrilling Penalty Shootout
On February 25, Stade de Reims continued their impressive run in the French Cup, defeating Angers SCO 5-3 on penalties after the teams were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time. This victory secured their spot in the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament.
The match, held at the Stade Raymond Kopa, was characterized by quick bursts of attacking play from both teams. Stade de Reims's Kaito Nakamura opened the scoring for his side 34 minutes after kickoff, steering home a perfectly weighted cross delivered by Daiki Sekine. The goal electrified the visiting supporters and gave Reims early momentum.
Despite falling behind, Angers kept pressing for an equalizer, and their perseverance paid off deep in injury time. Bamba Dien scored the equalizer for Angers, bringing the match level and sending it to penalties, with the final score at full-time being 1-1.
The penalty shootout began with Nakamura stepping up first for Reims, confidently slotting his shot down the center. Angers's second shooter was met with remarkable discipline from Reims goalkeeper, Yévan Diouf, who made the first of several decisive saves. Junya Ito followed, securing another goal for Reims, which shifted the momentum firmly back to the side clad in red and white stripes.
Throughout the match, all three Japanese players on Reims's squad—Nakamura, Ito, and Sekine—performed admirably. They each played the full 90 minutes, contributing not just defensively but also creating scoring opportunities. The teamwork was evident, with Ito and Sekine frequently exchanging passes and creating dangerous situations.
The semi-final for Stade de Reims is scheduled for April 2, and fans are eagerly anticipating who will emerge as their next opponent. Having risen triumphantly through previous rounds, this squad shows resilience and determination, traits they will undoubtedly carry forward.
This latest win marks another chapter in the storied history of Stade de Reims, once home to several triumphs within French football and the European stage. The atmosphere surrounding the team has been buoyed by the palpable excitement surrounding the Coupe de France, as they look to add another cup to their accolades.
Supporters of Stade de Reims are undoubtedly thrilled with the team's progress and eagerly await their semi-final encounter.