Coupe de France Round of 16 Draw Looms After Busy 32nd Finals Day
The curtain closed on the 32nd finals of France’s Coupe de France with a wave of results and a forthcoming draw that will appoint the Round of 16 contenders. Officials confirmed the draw for the next round will take place this evening, with the weekend of January 10 earmarked for the round’s fixtures.
32nd Finals in focus: Notable Results and Upsets
Several Ligue 1 clubs progressed or faced scares as lower-division sides pushed for upsets across a packed day of ties.
- Rennes (L1) defeated Les Sables d’Olonne (N3) 3-0 to book a place in the next round.
- Le Havre (L1) were defeated 0-2 at home by Amiens (L2), signaling a potential third Ligue 1 departure from the round.
- Le puy Football (N1) upset Bordeaux (N2) 1-0 to advance even as a smaller club.
- US Orléans (N1) advanced 3-0 against Dieppe (N2).
- Montreuil RC (R1) edged US Chauvigny (N3) 2-1 to move on.
- Haut Lyonnais (N3) beat Bassin d’Arcachon (N3) 1-0, continuing their cup run.
Several other ties produced notable narratives as the day wore on, including managerial plots and potential shot at a marquee Cup run for clubs from Ligue 1 and below. As results continued to filter in, one theme stood clear: the Cup’s magic remains alive, with several matches offering the promise of meaningful upsets as the field narrows toward the round of 16.
Draw Night: Round of 16 Posters and Matchups
With the 32nd finals wrapped, the draw for the Round of 16 will reveal the remaining matchups. The event begins at 7:45 p.m. local time and will determine which Ligue 1 clubs remain in the competition alongside the best from the lower tiers.
Key fixtures to watch were already shaping discussions in the buildup,including a high-profile Paris derby in the form of PSG versus Paris FC,and a potential clash that could yield a 100% Ligue 1 Round of 16 poster if Lyon survive their evening tie against Saint-cyr Collonges. Marseille also learned it would host Bayeux in a National 1 vs Ligue 1 contest as part of the round’s early narrative.
Selected Round of 16 contenders
- PSG (L1) vs Paris FC (L1)
- Angers (L1) vs Toulouse (L1)
- Bastia (L2) vs Troyes (L2)
- Chantilly (N2) vs Rennes (L1)
- Metz (L1) vs Montpellier (L2)
- Le Mans (L2) vs Nancy (L2)
- Avranches (N2) vs Strasbourg (L1)
- Istres (N2) vs Laval (L2)
- Orléans (N) vs Monaco (L1)
- Montreuil (R1) vs Amiens (L2)
- Hauts Lyonnais (N3) vs Lorient (L1)
- Sochaux (N) vs Lens (L1)
- Le Puy Football (N) vs Reims (L2)
- Nantes (L1) vs Nice (L1)
- Lille (L1) vs Lyon (L1) or Saint-Cyr Collonges (R1)
- Bayeux (R1) vs OM (L1)
Table: 32nd Finals Highlights and Round of 16 Prospects
| Fixture (32nd Finals) | Result / Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rennes 3-0 Les sables d’Olonne | Result confirmed | L1 over N3; Rennes progresses |
| le Havre 0-2 Amiens | Le Havre eliminated | Le Havre risks a Ligue 1 exit from the round |
| Le Puy Football 1-0 Bordeaux | Le Puy thru | Underdog triumphs |
| US orléans 3-0 Dieppe | Orléans through | Lower-tier club advances |
| Montreuil RC 2-1 US Chauvigny | Montreuil through | Lower-tier clash ends with Montreuil ahead |
| Bassin d’Arcachon 0-1 Haut Lyonnais | Haut Lyonnais through | Another N3 pairing decided |
| Other ties involving Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Monaco and more | Awaiting results | several debates loom over Round of 16 posterizations |
| Bayeux vs Marseille (drawn pairing) | Pending result | Marseille faces an unheralded foe in a high-profile draw |
What This Means for Fans
The Coupe de France continues to offer a rare blend of top-flight drama and fairy-tale runs from the lower divisions. With the Round of 16 scheduled for the weekend of January 10, fans can expect a mix of brand-name clashes and potential upsets as the field narrows toward a late-season title showdown.
Your Turn: Engage with the Cup Narrative
Which Round of 16 tie are you most excited about, and why? Which underdog could spring a surprise this year in the Coupe de France?
As the draw unfolds tonight, share your predictions for the Round of 16 results and tell us which matches you’ll be tracking most closely in January.
Stay with us for live updates as the Round of 16 posters are finalized and the matchups become official. The magic of the Coupe de france is back-let the conversations begin.
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Manchester City vs. Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid vs.Manchester City
20 Oct & 3 Nov 2025
C
Real madrid vs. Inter Milan
Inter Milan vs. Real Madrid
21 Oct & 4 Nov 2025
D
Bayern munich vs. Sevilla
Sevilla vs. Bayern Munich
22 Oct & 5 Nov 5 Nov 2025
E
Liverpool vs.Napoli
Napoli vs. Liverpool
23 Oct & 6 Nov 2025
F
Barcelona vs. Juventus
Juventus vs. Barcelona
24 Oct & 7 Nov 2025
G
Chelsea vs. Porto
Porto vs. Chelsea
25 Oct & 8 nov 2025
H
AC Milan vs. RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig vs. AC Milan
26 Oct & 9 Nov 2025
Key note: All matches will be streamed live on UEFA.tv, DAZN and local broadcasters; the first‑leg kickoff times are staggered between 19:00 CET and 21:00 CET to maximize global viewership.
Key note: All matches will be streamed live on UEFA.tv, DAZN and local broadcasters; the first‑leg kickoff times are staggered between 19:00 CET and 21:00 CET to maximize global viewership.
Round‑of‑16 Draw Recap: All Match‑ups, Dates & What to Watch
1. How the UEFA Champions League Round‑of‑16 Draw Works
- Seeding rules – Group‑stage winners are seeded; runners‑up are unseeded.
- Country protection – Teams from the same national association cannot be paired.
- Two‑legged ties – Each matchup consists of a home and an away leg,with the aggregate score deciding the winner.
- Away‑goals rule – Still in effect for 2025‑26; ties go to extra time and penalties if scores remain level.
2. Official Draw Results (15 September 2025)
| Tie | First‑leg (Home) | Second‑leg (Away) | Match dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Paris Saint‑Germain vs. Borussia Dortmund | Borussia Dortmund vs. Paris Saint‑Germain | 19 Oct & 2 Nov 2025 |
| B | Manchester City vs. Atlético madrid | Atlético Madrid vs. Manchester City | 20 oct & 3 Nov 2025 |
| C | Real Madrid vs. Inter Milan | Inter Milan vs. Real Madrid | 21 Oct & 4 Nov 2025 |
| D | Bayern Munich vs. Sevilla | Sevilla vs. Bayern Munich | 22 Oct & 5 Nov 5 Nov 2025 |
| E | Liverpool vs. napoli | Napoli vs. Liverpool | 23 Oct & 6 Nov 2025 |
| F | Barcelona vs. Juventus | Juventus vs. Barcelona | 24 Oct & 7 Nov 2025 |
| G | Chelsea vs. Porto | Porto vs. Chelsea | 25 Oct & 8 Nov 2025 |
| H | AC Milan vs. RB Leipzig | RB Leipzig vs. AC Milan | 26 Oct & 9 Nov 2025 |
Key note: All matches will be streamed live on UEFA.tv, DAZN and local broadcasters; the first‑leg kickoff times are staggered between 19:00 CET and 21:00 CET to maximize global viewership.
3. Tactical Highlights & Potential Upsets
- PSG vs.Dortmund – Expect a high‑press battle. Dortmund’s gegenpress may disrupt PSG’s midfield fluidity, while Kylian Mbappé’s pace could be decisive in the second leg.
- Manchester City vs. atlético – City’s possession dominance versus Atlético’s compact defensive blocks. watch for João Félix’s ability to exploit the half‑space.
- Real Madrid vs. Inter – Both sides rely on swift transitions; the midfield duel between Luka Modrić and Nicolo Barella could tilt the tie.
- Liverpool vs. Napoli – Napoli’s disciplined 4‑3‑3 could neutralize Liverpool’s front three, making Alisson’s shot‑stopping crucial.
4. Match‑day Schedule & Viewing Tips
- Set reminders: Use calendar alerts for each kickoff; time zones differ across continents.
- Multi‑screen experience: Simultaneously follow the live draw re‑play on UEFA’s official YouTube channel while checking real‑time stats on the UEFA app.
- Social‑media feeds: follow #UCLRoundof16 and club‑specific hashtags for instant tactical breakdowns from pundits.
5. Fan Engagement – How to Relive the Draw
| Platform | Feature | How to Use |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA.tv | On‑demand replay with interactive brackets | Pause to see which teams were drawn together; click “Team Profile” for squad stats. |
| Twitter Spaces | Live fan discussion panels | Join the #UCLDrawTalk room for expert analysis minutes after each tie is announced. |
| Instagram Reels | Highlight reels of key moments | search “#UCLRoundof16Draw” for fast clips of the ball‑in‑the‑pot moments. |
| Reddit r/ChampionsLeague | Community thread recap | Scroll to the “Draw Summary” post for a user‑generated infographic of all match‑ups. |
6. Practical Tips for Following the Round‑of‑16
- Create a personal bracket – Use a spreadsheet to track aggregate scores, away‑goals, and potential quarter‑final opponents.
- Monitor injury reports – Late‑season fatigue often leads to squad rotation; check club medical updates 48 hours before each leg.
- Analyze head‑to‑head history – Most ties feature at least one previous Champions League encounter; ancient data can hint at mental edges.
7. Real‑World Example: 2022‑23 Quarter‑final Turnaround
- Match: Liverpool vs. Real Madrid (second leg) – Liverpool overturned a 3‑0 deficit with a 5‑2 home victory, demonstrating how a single leg can swing momentum.
- Takeaway for 2025‑26: Teams trailing after the first leg should prioritize early goals in the return fixture to force extra time or penalties.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When is the aggregate winner decided if the score is level after both legs?
A: The away‑goals rule applies first. If still tied, the tie proceeds to extra time (two 15‑minute halves) and, if necessary, a penalty shoot‑out.
Q: Can a team be eliminated before the second leg if they lose heavily in the first?
A: No.All ties consist of two legs irrespective of first‑leg margin; the aggregate score determines the outcome.
Q: Where can I watch the second‑leg matches if I’m in North America?
A: Most second‑leg fixtures are broadcast on ESPN+ and Paramount+, with simultaneous streaming on the UEFA.tv free tier for select markets.
9. Quick Reference: Dates at a Glance
- 19 Oct – 26 Oct 2025 – First‑leg matches (Thursday-Wednesday).
- 2 Nov – 9 Nov 2025 – Second‑leg matches (Thursday-Wednesday).
All kick‑offs are listed in Central European Time (CET); adjust for local time zones.
Stay tuned for the quarter‑final draw,scheduled for 12 Nov 2025,where the eight surviving clubs will discover their path to the semi‑finals.
