In the last four of the Coupe de France, on April 3, there will be the first in class: OL, PSG or Nice, possibly Rennes (which plays at Le Puy this Thursday)... But an intruder, less, has already invited itself to the table of the big names: Valenciennes, bottom of Ligue 2 and already relegated, with 15 points behind the 17th in the ranking.
The Northerners won at the end of a game that was fairly poor in thrills, but saved by a breathtaking finale and Rouen's equalizer in added time.
At the Robert-Diochon stadium, the magic which had allowed FC Rouen, 8th in the National, to eliminate Toulouse and Monaco in quick succession had ceased to act this Wednesday evening.
Well organized, Ahmed Kantari's team initially neutralized the local team, which was a little out of ideas.
Then, once in front of the scoreboard, she successfully contained the attacks of the Normans for an hour.
Known air, it is therefore a team at bay in the championship which is advancing on the paths of glory in the Coupe de France.
Historic club, Valenciennes, will play its fourth Coupe de France semi-final, after those of 1951 (final), 1964, and 1970.
In the first period, an impeccable cross from the left by Basse found the head of Oyewuzi, for the opening of the Northerners (0-1, 26th).
Arriving from Lithuania during the winter transfer window, the 25-year-old Nigerian striker scored his first in the Valencian jersey.
But he scored for his previous club, FK Zalgiris Vilnius against Galatasaray during qualifying for... the Champions League in July.
That being said, Maxime d'Ornano's players counted two great opportunities to equalize, but both annihilated by the reflexes of Louchet, the northern goalkeeper who was very lively on Wednesday.
In the first period, at close range, Sanson saw his attempt turned away in disaster by Louchet (40th).
In second, Ouadah, well served in depth by Benkaid, was beaten by the same Louchet in their face to face (61st).
At the very end of the game, Louchet thought he had achieved the supreme feat by stopping Loppy's penalty, before the latter scored in a second phase (1-1, 90th+1).
It was a postponed start, with an attempt saved during the penalty shootout - plus one on the bar.
After OL eliminated Strasbourg on Tuesday (0-0, 4-4 on penalties), Le Puy (N2) hosts Rennes on Thursday evening (8:45 p.m.), PSG and Nice will battle it out on Wednesday March 13 (9:10 p.m.).
The draw Friday evening in the show Tout le sport on France 3 (7:54 p.m.).