The journey continues in the Gambardella Cup! With mental strength, the Diablotins overcame the trap in Abbeville and qualified after a penalty shootout.

It hadn’t been easy for Vincent Doury’s team. The young Rouen side conceded an early goal (1-0, 9′) and were forced to chase the game. For a long time, technical errors prevented FCR from getting back into it. Long-range shots posed no threat to the goalkeeper and Les Diablotins went into the break trailing.

After the break, Arthur Liberge quickly equalized for his team, pouncing on a cross from the right in the box (1-1, 53′). Kigni, well positioned in the box, missed the target a few minutes later (58′), while Liberge’s curling shot was saved (67′). At the other end, Abbeville put the Rouen defense under pressure with two chances in quick succession (70′, 71′). But the score remained unchanged and the two teams had to settle the match with a penalty shootout.

In the shootout, the young Rouen players were flawless (4 out of 4). Joakim Magalhaes Teixeira saved the second attempt, while Abbeville’s fourth shooter hit the ball over the bar. Finally, Jahed scored the winning goal. The Diablotins could rejoice. See you in the round of 32!

Match report
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Stade Paul Delique
SC Abbeville – FC Rouen 1899: 1-1 (1-0) 4-2 on penalties
Referee: Mr. Benssalah.

Goal scorer for Rouen: Liberge (53′).

Successful penalty kicks: Liberge, Kigni, Dani, Jahed.

FC Rouen 1899: Joakim Magalhaes Teixeira – Swann Dumesnil, Tomas Ribeiro Rodrigues (cap.), Cheikh Abu Hosni Dani, – Yanis Attrouche (Nzi, 77′), Arthur Liberge, Zakryah Al Hakem (Jahed, 80′), Kerem Tozlu, Marcelin Sino (Puatany Nkodia, 46′) – Adnane Amiche, Evra Kigni.

Substitutes: Raphael Agoua, Uriel Puatany Nkodia, Yao Marc Ylann Nzi, Zakaria Jahed, Mory Mansaray.

Coach: Vincent Doury.