Lyon's Late Equalizer Sends Coupe de France Tie to Penalties

Lens edge Lyon on penalties after thrilling 2-2 draw

Lens beat Lyon 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw, with Lyon's Remi Himbert scoring a late equalizer in stoppage time. Lens advances to the Coupe de France semifinals.

Lyon needed a spark, and they got it just after the hour mark...

Lens edged out Lyon 5-4 on penalties to book their spot in the Coupe de France semis, after a thrilling 2-2 draw went the distance. The game had drama till the end, with Lyon conceding a last-gasp equalizer.

These two Ligue 1 top-seven teams knew a win would put them in pole position for the trophy. Lens is now one step closer to their first Coupe de France title, having last reached the semis in 2009/10.

Lens, led by ex-Lyon coach Pierre Sage, started strong but Lyon grew into the game. They had chances, including Moussa Niakhate's wide shot and Corentin Tolisso's deflected effort. But Lens struck first, with Saud Abdulhamid's fierce effort setting up Florian Thauvin's tap-in for the opener.

Thauvin's goal was his eighth of the season, and it put Lens ahead. Lyon will have been disappointed to concede, but they had chances to equalize before halftime. The game was intense, and Lens's former Lyon boss Sage must be pleased with his team's start.

Lens's away form is on fire  - they've scored in 10 straight away games. Odsonne Edouard had a great chance to double the lead, but Lyon's Descamps made a crucial save. The visitors kept pushing, and it paid off in stoppage time.

Florian Thauvin's through ball set up Abdallah Sima for a stunning finish, making it 2-0. Sima's fourth goal in the competition this season. Lyon will have been gutted to concede on the break, but they're still in the game.

Lyon needed a spark, and they got it just after the hour mark. Roman Yaremchuk hit the crossbar, but he made no mistake with his next chance. A sweet cross from Remi Himbert found Yaremchuk, who rose to head home his first goal for Lyon.

The momentum shifted, and Lyon pushed for more. Yaremchuk's goal brought them back into the game, and the energy in the stadium was palpable. 

Lyon took control, pushing hard for an equalizer. They looked to have missed the chance, but Lens's defense cracked in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Roman Yaremchuk's header found Remi Himbert, who calmly finished into an empty net.

𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐒 🦁

Avec de la solidarité et beaucoup de caractère, le Racing s'impose aux tirs au but et rallie le dernier carré de la @CoupeDeFranceCA pour la première fois depuis 2010. Bravo Messieurs ! 👏

Olympique Lyonnais 2⃣-2⃣ (4-5 TAB) RC Lens#OLRCL pic.twitter.com/TzipjiEV7M

— Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) March 5, 2026

The drama was far from over, and Lyon's late surge forced extra time. Lens will be frustrated to concede so late, having held on for a while. 

Robin Risser redeemed himself with a crucial save from Moussa Niakhate in the shootout. Florian Thauvin then sealed the win for Lens, dispatching the decisive penalty.

Lens will face Toulouse in the semis, while Lyon's nine-match winning streak at home ends. They'll be disappointed to miss out on the final, especially after coming so close.