Heading for the quarters!

At the Louis Blériot stadium, it was the Ligériennes who kicked off the match. From the very first minutes, the intensity of the duels was high as the two teams battled it out for a place in the quarter-finals. The first half was fairly evenly balanced, with a few chances on both sides, but without any real danger. As the first half neared the end of stoppage time, some good pressing by the Vertes forced the Rémoises to go back through their goalkeeper. She cleared the ball but not far enough, allowing Faustine Bataillard, alone in midfield, to intercept it. She reacted quickly, lobbing the whole of the opposition defence to score (Reims 0-1 ASSE, 45th). The first half ended in style for the Greens.

The second half got off to a flying start. The two teams exchanged blows, forcing the referee to intervene frequently. Shortly after the restart, Cindy Caputo, set up by Lisa Martinez, found herself alone in front of the opposing goalkeeper. The latter tried to clear the ball, but missed her shot and collided with the forézienne striker. With the keeper still on the ground, Cindy Caputo collected the ball and scored into an empty net, despite the return of a defender (Reims 0-2 ASSE, 52nd). The Reims players were not indifferent to the action, and tried to reduce the deficit with intensity. Emma Templier was on hand to repel all the home team's attempts on goal, particularly in the last quarter of an hour. After seven minutes of stoppage time, Les Vertes are through to the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France. The draw for the rest of the competition will take place on Monday January 27.

Next up for Les Vertes is a home date with Nantes in the Arkema Première Ligue (Saturday February 1, 5pm).

Game sheet

Reims 0-2 ASSE
French Cup Round of 8
Saturday, January 25, 2.30pm, Louis Blériot stadium

Half-time score: 0-1
Goals: Bataillard (45'), Caputo (52')
ASSE: Templier, Romanelli (then Bogi, 68th), Mayi Kith, Champagnac, Tapia, Bataillard, Martinez, Cambot (then Job, 90th), Pierre-Louis (then Connesson, 68th), Caputo (then Maniouloux, 84th), Lamontagne. Coach: Laurent Mortel.