Coupe de France: 44 Shots, 3 Goals – R1 Match Madness!

by Liam O'Connor Sports Editor

Béthune Claims French Cup Record with Unprecedented 44-Round Penalty Shootout

A stunning upset in the French Cup saw Béthune emerge victorious after an astounding penalty shootout that shattered previous records. The Regional 1 club defeated Steenvoorde 21-20 in a shootout lasting 44 rounds, marking the longest penalty shootout in the history of the competition.

Upset Wins Mark Early Stages of French cup

The French Cup continues to live up to its reputation as a tournament of possibilities, where established professional clubs face the challenge of competing against amateur teams. On November 30,2025,three professional clubs – Pau,rodez,and Red Star – were pitted against amateur opposition: SA Mérignac (Regional 1),Canet (National 3),and Biesheim (National 2),respectively.

The match between steenvoorde and Béthune, both regional 1 clubs, initially appeared to follow a familiar pattern. Regulation time ended in a 0-0 draw,setting the stage for a penalty shootout. Though,what unfolded defied expectations,quickly escalating into an unusual display of endurance and nerve.

Did you know? – The French Cup, officially known as the Coupe de France, is open to all French football clubs, regardless of their league status. This allows amateur teams to compete against professionals.

A Shootout for the Ages

the penalty shootout quickly became a test of mental fortitude as both teams demonstrated remarkable consistency, converting an unbelievable 37 consecutive shots. The tension mounted with each successful attempt, as the shootout extended far beyond the typical length. Ultimately, it took 44 attempts to determine a winner, eclipsing the previous record of 24 minutes set in 2022 between dinan Léhon and Stade brestois (0-0, 12-13 on penalties).

Béthune ultimately prevailed, securing a historic victory and etching their name into French Cup folklore.The final scoreline of 0-0 (21-20 on penalties) barely captures the drama and intensity of the encounter.

Pro tip: – Penalty shootouts are a test of composure. Players frequently enough focus on visualizing a successful shot and blocking out external pressure.

Heroic Moment for Béthune’s Thumerel

Gauthier Thumerel, the decisive scorer for Béthune, described the surreal experience. “It’s crazy, the coach didn’t wont me to shoot,” he told The Voice of the North. “He put me 11th and I give the victory to Béthune.” Thumerel revealed the weight of the moment, acknowledging his previous failure and the desire to deliver joy to the club’s supporters. “My first shot is so as not to lose; the second, to win. Honestly, before the second one, I think back to my failure last year before shooting and I tell myself that the story can be beautiful.If I score, I will put happiness in people’s eyes.I have to score and… I score.”

The victory is expected to be long remembered by the players, staff, and the 250 Béthune supporters who witnessed the historic event.

Reader question: – What do you think is more significant in a penalty shootout: skill or mental strength? Share your thoughts!

Hear’s a breakdown of how the article now answers the requested questions:

* Why: The match went to a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw in regulation time. The shootout became exceptionally long due to the consistent accuracy of both teams.
* Who: Béthune (Regional 1) defeated Steenvoorde (Regional 1). Gauthier Thumerel scored the winning penalty for Béthune.
* What: Béthune won the match after a record-breaking 44-round penalty shootout, with a final score of 0-0 (21-20 on penalties).This is the longest penalty shootout in

Leave a Comment