Lyon Stuns Paris FC In Dramatic Coupe De France Quarterfinal
Lyon Stuns Paris FC In Dramatic Coupe De France Quarterfinal...
Olympique Lyonnais pulled off a stunning 3-2 comeback victory against Paris FC in Tuesday's Coupe de France quarterfinal, advancing to the semifinals in dramatic fashion. The match, played at Stade Charléty in Paris, saw Lyon overcome a 2-0 halftime deficit with three second-half goals, including an 89th-minute winner from Alexandre Lacazette.
The upset is trending in the US today as American fans follow Lyon's USMNT defender Miles Robinson, who played the full 90 minutes in the victory. The match also featured a rare appearance by former Chelsea and US international Matt Miazga, who came on as a late substitute for Paris FC.
Tuesday's result marks Lyon's first Coupe de France semifinal appearance since 2020, keeping alive their hopes for silverware in an otherwise disappointing Ligue 1 campaign. For Paris FC, the loss extends their 46-year drought without a major trophy.
The match gained additional attention stateside due to streaming availability on FuboTV, which holds US rights to the Coupe de France. Social media engagement spiked during Lyon's comeback, with #LYOPAR trending on Twitter in the US during the second half.
Lyon will learn their semifinal opponent when the draw is conducted Wednesday. The remaining contenders include defending champions Toulouse, Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain, and second-division surprise package Valenciennes.
French football analyst Julien Laurens noted on ESPN FC: "This is exactly why Americans are falling for the Coupe de France - the drama, the upsets, and seeing their players in high-stakes matches." The tournament has seen growing US viewership since 2022, when ESPN+ began carrying select matches.
The victory provides a temporary reprieve for Lyon manager Pierre Sage, whose job security has been questioned amid the club's 10th-place Ligue 1 standing. Paris FC manager Stéphane Gilli faces scrutiny after his team's second-half collapse despite dominating the opening 45 minutes.
With the semifinals scheduled for early April, Lyon now shifts focus to Sunday's Ligue 1 clash against Reims. Paris FC returns to Ligue 2 action Friday against Guingamp, where they'll look to maintain their promotion playoff position.
