On Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 Nantes won a match that will send them to the French Cup final for the very 1st – time in approximately 22 – years after they defeated Monaco on penalty – kicks following a very exciting match that concluded with a final tally of 2 to 2 at the end of regulation time.
The Nigerian – native winger, Moses Simon, scored the eventual deciding spot – kick goal in order to make it 4 – 2 in favor of Nantes throughout the shootout, and it sparked a field – invasion at the Stade de la Beaujoire Stadium as the triumphant Nantes fans proudly and loudly celebrated in a pleasant and controlled environment.
Having just remained in the 1st – division following winning a promotion – relegation playoff the past year, and it has been quite the 180 for Nantes at the moment. Nantes’ head coach, Antoine Kombouare, led his club to their ultimate goal of playing for the FA Cup championship since they won the FA Cup way back in 2000.
Nantes will aim to win that title for the 4th – time when it will end up playing Nice on Sunday, May 8th, 2022 (Mother’s Day) at the legendary and historic Stade de France Stadium.
Monaco’s failed penalty – kicks came from French players such as Wissam Ben Yedder, the regular penalty – kick shooter as well as the French League’s leading scorer, and the promising midfielder in Aurelien Tchouameni.
In a fairly – played game that did not even feature a single yellow card, Monaco’s star defender, Guillermo Maripan, popped in a header propelling the visiting side in front during the 12th – minute via Caio Henrique’s free – kick.
Nantes responded by netting an equalizer approximately half way through the 1st – half of game action when Monaco’s right – back Djibril Sidibe scored an own – goal while he slid to cut out the forward of Randal Kolo Muani’s pass attempt.
Simon cut in from the right – side, and he had a shot that was eventually saved by the native of Germany goal – tender of Alexander Nuebel during the 71st – minute of this exciting back – and – forth – match.
Nuebel found himself helpless just 3 – minutes after that when the midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy popped in a shot that found the back of the net following a mad – scramble in the penalty – area.
Monaco scored right from the restart as the Nantes’ goalie, Remy Descamps, was hesitant to come out from the goal to contest a cross – kick, and the substitute Myron Boadu managed to send it in off of his head.
Nantes won the FA Cup back – to – back in 1999 as well as 2000, whereas Monaco last won the FA Cup back in 1991 under their legendary head coach, Arsene Wenger, and they were the unfortunate runner – up last season.
Nice defeated the 4th – tier Versailles with a final tally of 2 to 0 on Tuesday, March 1st, 2022 as they beat the hell out of the serious contenders of Paris Saint – Germain as well as Marseille.
Sources:
The Associated Press News Services. “Nantes beats Monaco on penalties to reach French Cup final”. The Associated Press. March 2, 2022.