Historic night for RC Lens as “Les Sang et Or” march into Coupe de France final

RC Lens produced a statement performance at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, brushing aside Toulouse to reach their first Coupe de France final since 1998.
The hosts made a nervy start but quickly settled into their rhythm. Florian Thauvin opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 9th minute, calmly dispatching his effort to give Lens an early foothold. Moments later, Allan Saint-Maximin doubled the advantage with a sharp, low strike into the near corner, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Toulouse responded midway through the first half, as Hidalgo capitalised on a defensive lapse to pull one back and briefly reignite the contest. However, Lens showed composure and resilience. Jonathan Clauss Udol reacted quickest to a rebound to restore the two-goal cushion, ensuring the momentum stayed firmly with the hosts.
There was still time for Adrien Thomasson to put the result beyond doubt, adding a fourth and capping a dominant display.
2025-26, Coupe de France
Lens - Toulouse 4:1 (3:1)
Goals: Thauvin, 9 (penalty) (1:0); Saint-Maximin, 18 (2:0); Hidalgo, 21 (2:1); Udol, 35 (3:1); Thomasson, 74 (4:1)
Lens: Risser; Baidoo S. (Masuaku, 64); Udol; Sarr Mal.; Abdulhamid (Aguilar, 78); Ganiou; Thomasson; Sangaré; Saint-Maximin (Saïd W., 64); Thauvin (Haidara A., 79); Édouard O. (Sima A., 72)
Substitution: Masuaku (from 64); Saïd W. (from 64); Sima A. (from 72); Aguilar (from 78); Haidara A. (from 79)
Bench: Gorgelin; Bulatović; Sotoca; Fofana R-n
Toulouse: Haug; Nicolaisen; Cresswell C.; Sidibé Dj. (Russell-Rowe, 64); Methalie; Koumbassa (Kamanzi Warren, 76); Diop P.-D. (Vossah, 64); Cásseres Jr (Sauer M., 86); Hidalgo; Dönnum; Emersonn
Substitution: Vossah (from 64); Russell-Rowe (from 64); Kamanzi Warren (from 76); Sauer M. (from 86)
Bench: Restes; Vignolo
Yellow Cards: Diop P.-D. 8; Cásseres Jr 58
