MATCH REPORT | Ethan Nwaneri misses spot-kick as Toulouse knock Marseille out of Coupe de France on penalties

It was arguably the most entertaining pick of the Coupe de France quarter-finals this week, as favourites Olympique de Marseille were knocked out on penalties by Toulouse following a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Stade Vélodrome on Tuesday evening. Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri would sky Marseille’s final spot-kick to see Les Violets progress to the semi-finals.Les Phocéens started as they meant to go on at the Vélodrome on Wednesday evening, after scoring in injury time against Lyon at the weekend. This time it was Mason Greenwood who was fouled in the box just 23 seconds into the cup tie, after Facundo Medina combined well with Igor Paixao down the left side. The Englishman stepped up in his usual nonchalant style to send Kjetil Haug the wrong way to kick-off proceedings in the best possible way for Les Olympiens (2′). Yet it would only take 10 minutes for Toulouse to respond, with set-pieces once again being a useful weapon for Les Violets in recent encounters. This time it was Englishman Charlie Cresswell who outmuscled Nayef Aguerd to head low towards Rulli – the Argentine would save but parry into the path of Yann Gboho to finish at the far post (13′).

Marseille would get themselves back on the attack, Vermeeren struck the post from the edge of the box, Greenwood turning inside-out several TFC defenders before Abdelli’s strike was firmly saved by Haug. Toulouse would sit in a mid to low block, forcing Marseille to keep hold of the ball instead of pouncing on the transition. Habib Beye made the first change at half-time, bringing on Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri for Himad Abdelli. But it was Toulouse who had the first two chances of the half, as Donnum raced down on goal but his effort was saved by Rulli. The following corner saw Nicolaison’s header parried away by the Argentinian shot-stopper as Toulouse sought to pull themselves in front.

But then came a moment of magic from Igor Paixao. After driving down the left, the Brazilian unleashed a curled effort from distance which rattled the post on its way into the back of the net (55′). Did he mean it not? OM supporters didn’t care one bit as their side pulled themselves back into the lead. Yet the drama wouldn’t stop there when Toulouse got themselves back level almost instantly when Charlie Cresswell leaped to connect with a powerful header into the back of the net (59′). Minutes later Nwaneri’s scuffed effort would strike the post, as OM looked once again to pull themselves in front. Toulouse looked dangerous in the latter stages, and Igor Paixao was needed to clear off the line from a well-driven corner which was flapped at by Rulli. In the final stage it was TFC who pushed for the winner, but the whistle would blow for full-time as the match went straight to a penalty shootout.

Dønnum, Gboho, Sidibé, and Diop converted for the away side before Leonardo Balerdi missed his kick for Marseille. Rulli saved from Casseres to draw OM level before Aguerd had a spot-kick retaken to convert. All the pressure was on on loan Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri, who skied his effort above the crossbar to see Toulouse progress to the semi-finals.GFFN | George Boxall – Reporting from Stade Vélodrome, Marseille.