FC Villefranche-Beaujolais defeated USC Paray 3-0 on Saturday in the Coupe de France seventh round, setting up a potential clash with AS Saint-Étienne.
Le JSL reported that the lower-tier side exited the competition with their heads held high after a disciplined defensive effort at the Stade des Sables. Despite the scoreline, the Ligue 3 visitors scored the decisive goals needed to win a difficult regional cup fixture.
The Caladois entered the match sitting in the relegation zone following a league defeat to Quevilly-Rouen, according to mesinfos. Coach Hakim Malek named a strong lineup to avoid an upset against their Regional 2 opponents.
The breakthrough arrived early when Cheick Oumar Diakité curled in a shot from 20 meters out in the eighth minute, as noted by mesinfos. Rayane Louzif doubled the advantage in the 33rd minute by reacting quickest inside the penalty area following buildup play from Rémi Etuin and Nathan Cachbach.
“Ce soir, je n’ai qu’un regret, c’est de ne pas avoir réussi à enflammer le public avec un but, notamment sur l’occasion de Sofiane,” said Adrien Jarrier, head coach of USC Paray.
Paray nearly found a lifeline in the 23rd minute when Sofiane Azerarak met a cross from Baptiste Roux with a header that drifted just past the post.
“Je ne suis pas assez engagé dessus, au minimum, je dois la cadrer,” said Sofiane Azerarak, player for USC Paray, told Le JSL.
The missed opportunity proved costly as Villefranche controlled the tempo through the second half. Substitute Mohamed Sabihi and young academy forward Baptiste Roux both tested the defense before Abdallah Bakari sealed the victory in stoppage time with a third goal in the 93rd minute, rounding off an assist from Sabihi.
Victory sends Villefranche through to the eighth round of the Coupe de France, where they will face AS Saint-Étienne, provided Les Verts defeat Rumilly-Vallières in their tie, according to Poteaux Carrés. Historical context adds spice to the potential pairing, as Saint-Étienne previously required a penalty shootout to eliminate Paray away from home on February 3, 2010.
Villefranche returns to league competition while awaiting confirmation of their eighth-round fixture details.
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