RC Lens booked their place in the Coupe de France final with a commanding 4-1 victory over Toulouse at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Tuesday evening, setting up a showdown with either Strasbourg or Nice on May 22 at Stade de France.
The result marked another step toward a potential historic double for the Artésiens, who currently sit second in Ligue 1 behind Paris Saint-Germain as they aim to celebrate their 120th anniversary with silverware.
From the outset, Lens controlled the tempo despite a nervous opening that saw Toulouse nearly capitalize on an early mistake. Aaron Dönnum came close after a hesitant Lens clearance, while Samson Baidoo’s misplaced pass almost gifted Santiago Hidalgo an early chance.
However, Pierre Sage’s decision to overhaul his attacking line paid immediate dividends. The trio of Florian Thauvin, Odsonne Édouard, and Allan Saint-Maximin — the same unit that made an impact off the bench against Lyon in the quarterfinals — proved instrumental in breaking down Toulouse’s defense.
Thauvin opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the ninth minute after being brought down by Demba Diop inside the box. The former Marseille winger then supplied the assist for Saint-Maximin’s goal just nine minutes later, showcasing his influence on both ends of the play.
Abdulhamid emerged as a key architect of Lens’s dominance, providing two assists — first for Malick Udol’s header before halftime, then for Adrien Thomasson’s finish early in the second half. Udol’s 34th-minute goal came after a well-worked move, while Thomasson’s 74th-minute strike capped a flowing team goal that sealed the outcome.
Toulouse managed a consolation goal through Hidalgo in the 21st minute, but it did little to alter the course of the match. Lens continued to dictate play, with the home supporters creating an electric atmosphere that echoed the club’s ambitions.
The victory sets up a final date with the winner of the Strasbourg-Nice semifinal, scheduled for later this week. Should Lens prevail, they would secure their first Coupe de France title since 1998, ending a 28-year wait for the trophy.
For Toulouse, the defeat ends their cup run and shifts focus back to Ligue 1, where they face Monaco in their next fixture. Lens, meanwhile, turn their attention to a league trip to Brest before preparing for the showpiece event at Stade de France.
As the Artésiens prepare for the final, the question remains: can they turn their near-miss into history and deliver the double their fans have long dreamed of?
For continued coverage of RC Lens’ journey and the latest developments in French football, stay tuned to trusted sports sources.
Next checkpoint: Strasbourg vs Nice Coupe de France semifinal (date TBA), followed by the final on May 22 at Stade de France.
