Coupe de France 32nd Finals Wrap-Up and 16th Finals Draw Reveal Key Clashes and Surprises

The 32nd finals of the Coupe de France concluded with dramatic outcomes and set the stage for compelling 16th finals matchups, highlighting both surprise results and dominant performances.

One of the standout stories was Avranches, the only amateur team to eliminate a professional opponent. They drew 1-1 with their higher-ranked foe and triumphed 5-4 on penalties, marking a significant upset. Conversely, Le Havre, a Ligue 1 side, suffered a rare home defeat, losing 0-2 to Amiens, making them the only elite team to fall at home to a lower-ranked rival this round. Jonathan Ikoné of Paris FC shone brightly by netting a perfect hat-trick, propelling his team to a victory that will see them face Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the next stage. Marseille also impressed by achieving their first six-goal margin win in nearly eight years, while PSG continued their dominant scoring form with 22 matches in 2025 scoring four or more goals, a record unbeaten by other European giants like Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

The draw for the 16th finals presented a relatively favorable path for some sides. Stade Lavallois, currently struggling in Ligue 2 and in the relegation zone, was paired against Istres, a Nationale 2 team ranked 6th in their group. The draw, conducted on December 21, allowed Stade Lavallois to avoid clashes with heavyweight teams like PSG, Marseille, and Rennes. Istres' coach Olivier Frapolli remarked on the competitive nature of the tournament, emphasizing that "all matches are difficult." Other notable fixtures include the Paris derby between PSG and Paris FC and a rematch of the 2022 final between Nantes and Nice. Amiens, after overcoming Le Havre, was drawn to play Montreuil, a team from the lower division R1, in a match scheduled in the Paris region.

This stage sets up exciting narratives, especially with clashes involving Paris FC against PSG and the opportunity for lower-division teams to challenge top-tier sides. The Coupe de France continues to showcase the blend of football drama ranging from giant-killings to dominant displays by France’s elite teams.

With the 16th finals scheduled for early January 2026, fans await the next thrilling chapter of this historic cup competition.