Amateur Clubs ES Cernex and FC Offranville Make Historic Advances in Coupe de France 2026
Amateur clubs ES Cernex and FC Offranville have created historic moments by advancing to the sixth round of the 2026 Coupe de France, showcasing remarkable underdog feats.
Key details
- ES Cernex reached the Coupe de France sixth round for the first time, winning on penalties against Vénissieux.
- FC Offranville defeated a higher-division Pacy Ménilles Racing Club 1-0 to reach the sixth round.
- Lucas Thomasson praised ES Cernex's equal-level play and team spirit.
- Tony Joly scored the decisive goal for Offranville, who maintained an unbeaten season with this win.
In the 2026 Coupe de France, two amateur football clubs have achieved remarkable milestones, exemplifying the spirit of underdog victories in this prestigious national competition.
ES Cernex, an amateur club from Haute-Savoie, captured headlines by reaching the sixth round of the Coupe de France for the first time in its history. On October 10, at the Stade des Chardons in Copponex, ES Cernex faced Vénissieux in a tense match that ended 0-0 after 90 minutes. The outcome was decided by a penalty shootout, with ES Cernex emerging victorious. Lucas Thomasson, president of the club, praised the team's performance and mentality, highlighting their ability to compete on equal footing despite their smaller status and applauding the quality of play from a modest football village. He said, "The match went super well because we didn’t really see the difference in level; we even took the upper hand in the first half."
Similarly, FC Offranville from Régional 3 stunned fans by defeating the higher-ranked Pacy Ménilles Racing Club from Régional 1, also advancing to the sixth round. Coach Frédéric Boulan credited the team’s compact organization and fierce competitiveness for the upset. The sole goal came early in the 22nd minute from veteran Tony Joly, aged 41. Despite a serious injury to Pacy’s Nicolas Goaziou later in the game—which led to a red card for Offranville and reduced them to ten men—the team’s goalkeeper Thomas Noel made crucial saves during stoppage time to preserve the win. Boulan emphasized that "desire and aggression" were decisive factors in overcoming technically superior opponents. This victory continues Offranville’s unbeaten streak this season, with eight wins out of eight.
Both clubs have garnered admiration for their resilience and achievement, advancing beyond expectations in the prestigious Coupe de France while embodying the classic underdog spirit celebrated in French football.
