Akpom makes debut as Dunkerque upset Lille in cup thriller

Ayomide Akinkuade
2 Min Read

Nigerian International Chuba Akpom made his debut for Lille on Tuesday, but it ended in disappointment as the Ligue 1 side were knocked out of the Coupe De France Round of 16, losing to Ligue 2 opposition, Dunkerque, on penalties.

Lille were confident going into the match, having secured impressive wins over Feyenoord in the Champions League and Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1. In contrast, Dunkerque were the underdogs, with only two wins in their last six matches in all competitions.

The first half saw Lille totally dominate the game, but Dunkerque’s defense held strong, preventing the home side from converting their chances, resulting in a goalless first half.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with the match seemingly destined for a penalty shootout until André Gomes’ 85th-minute strike appeared to secure a late victory for Lille.

While the game was almost done and dusted for Lille, Dunkerque refused to surrender, launching a late surge that ultimately paid off when Kay Tejan scored a dramatic equalizer, sending the away fans into raptures and forcing the match into a penalty shootout.

The penalty shootout was a dramatic affair, with Lille initially taking a convincing 3-1 lead, only to miss crucial penalties, allowing Dunkerque to level the scoreline. Although Chuba Akpom scored his penalty, Lille ultimately lost the shootout 5-4, with Benjamin Andre’s effort hitting the bar.

Lille’s next challenge is a home Ligue 1 match against Le Havre, where they will be desperate to bounce back with a win, following a humiliating defeat that has left many of their supporters disappointed.

Dunkerque’s surprise win against Lille is definitely a momentum-booster, and they’ll be looking to carry that confidence into their next Ligue 2 match against Caen, scheduled to take place on Monday, February 10.

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