2025 Coupe de France 8th Round Sees Shocking Upsets and Club Eliminations

The 8th round of the 2025 Coupe de France featured significant upsets and surprise eliminations as several underdog teams triumphed over higher-tier opponents, reshaping the tournament landscape.

One of the standout matches saw Fontenay-le-Comte, a National 3 club, mount an impressive comeback against Berrichonne, a National team. Despite Berrichonne taking a 1-0 halftime lead through a goal by Piquionne, Fontenay surged back with four goals and secured a 4-1 victory. Key to their success was Diawara, who scored twice and assisted another, alongside Belbachir who netted two goals including a decisive penalty, demonstrating the lower-division side's strong second-half performance.

In another clash, Ligue 2 side Montpellier defeated R1 club Montceau 2-0 at the Stade des Alouettes, with both goals scored by Victor Orakpo. Despite Montceau's early efforts and their goalkeeper Kenny Philippe's notable saves, Montpellier maintained control, especially after Orakpo's header doubled their lead in the second half, ensuring their progression.

Meanwhile, the Bourgogne region saw both remaining clubs ousted from the competition. Is-Selongey lost 3-2 to National 1 team Bourg-en-Bresse despite an early goal from Hassan Fouad. The match was marked by a comeback from Bourg-en-Bresse, a crucial penalty goal, and a red card for Is-Selongey's Romain Gagnant. The team's captain Anthony Pitois acknowledged the narrow defeat but expressed optimism for future prospects. FC Chalon also exited after a 1-0 loss to Le Puy, suffering from an early goal and missing a late penalty, though they maintained pride in their effort.

These results highlight the unpredictability and excitement of the Coupe de France, with lower-tier teams challenging and often overcoming more favored opponents, adding intrigue to the tournament’s next phases.