Stade de Reims made history by reaching their first Coupe de France final since 1977, overcoming a spirited challenge from fourth-tier Cannes with a hard-fought 2-1 victory. This semifinal clash, held at Stade Pierre de Coubertin, saw Reims break their streak of penalty-dependent progress by securing a decisive win within regular time. They now prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in a thrilling final showdown.
Reims Takes Early Control Through Hafiz Ibrahim’s Breakthrough Goal
Despite being the underdogs, Cannes started the match with determination, having already defeated three Ligue 2 sides to earn their place in the semifinals. However, Reims quickly asserted their dominance with precise attacking play.
The opening goal came in the 14th minute when Mamadou Diakhon showcased his brilliant dribbling skills by gliding past Cannes’ defense and cutting the ball back for 19-year-old Hafiz Ibrahim. The youngster netted his first-ever goal with a composed finish, giving his team the lead and sparking celebrations among the traveling supporters.
Cannes Responds But Struggles to Break Through
Despite conceding early, Cannes did not relent. The fourth-tier side launched several threatening attacks, particularly through crosses and set pieces. Yehvann Diouf, the Reims goalkeeper, faced some nervy moments, particularly when he misjudged a corner and needed assistance from his defenders to clear the danger.
Cannes continued to test Reims’ resilience, but their finishing lacked precision. Keito Nakamura fired wide during a promising counter-attack, highlighting Cannes’ struggles to convert their pressure into tangible results.
Reims’ Counter-Attack Proves Deadly
As Cannes pushed forward, Reims exploited the space left behind with swift counter-attacks. Mamadou Diakhon continued to torment the Cannes defense, drawing fouls and creating chances for his teammates. However, Cannes’ defensive duo of Cheikh Ndoye and Lorenzo Vinci, who were both booked for fouling Diakhon, managed to keep the scoreline respectable heading into halftime.
Cannes Equalizes Through An Own Goal
The home crowd at Stade Pierre de Coubertin erupted with joy just seven minutes into the second half when Cannes managed to level the scoreline. Cheikh Ndoye, rising highest during a set piece, directed a powerful header that deflected off Reims defender Joseph Okumu and found its way into the net. This unexpected equalizer breathed new life into Cannes’ campaign, with the underdogs believing they could pull off a historic upset.
Teddy Teuma Restores Reims’ Lead
Reims’ manager made a tactical change, introducing Maltese international Teddy Teuma. The substitution paid off almost instantly. Six minutes after coming on, Teuma applied a clinical first-time finish to a low cross delivered by Hafiz Ibrahim, who continued to impress with his creativity and work rate.
The goal restored Reims’ lead and swung momentum back in their favor, forcing Cannes to chase the game once more. Despite the setback, Cannes refused to bow out quietly. They continued to press forward, looking for a way back into the contest.
Cannes’ Late Efforts Fall Short
As the game entered its final stages, Cannes desperately searched for another equalizer. Mathias Fischer’s pinpoint cross found Julien Domingues, but the striker’s powerful header was expertly saved by Diouf.
Cannes kept pushing, with Chafik Abbas and Oumar Diakité both attempting ambitious shots that narrowly missed the target. Arthur Dassiémou Mai embarked on a dazzling solo run but could only fire his shot wide, a fitting summary of Cannes’ frustrating night in front of goal.
Reims Sets Up Coupe de France Final Clash with PSG
With the final whistle, they celebrated back-to-back competitive victories for the first time since October. The hard-earned win not only secured their place in the Coupe de France final but also demonstrated their resilience and tactical discipline.
Reims will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the final, a matchup that promises to be a thrilling encounter. While Reims aims to lift the prestigious trophy for the first time since their golden era in the 1950s, Cannes must shift their focus to reigniting their promotion push in the domestic league after suffering three consecutive defeats across all competitions.
PSG vs. Reims. Coupe de France final. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/yvsqx10JVF
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) April 2, 2025
Hafiz Ibrahim, named Man of the Match, will undoubtedly be a key figure in Reims’ upcoming final against PSG. His performance against Cannes highlighted his growing potential, providing fans with hope that Reims can pull off a historic upset in the final.
As the Coupe de France finale approaches, all eyes will be on Reims and their quest to reclaim glory against the formidable Parisian giants.
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