At the very end of regulation time, while Annecy led 2-1 from the 59th minute, Marseille nevertheless believed to be saved by a miracle, a real one, named François-Régis Mughe.

You have to make introductions and even the announcer at the Vélodrome wasn't too sure of his move.

"Equalization of N.33, François-Régis ... Mughe", he finally let go after a few seconds of hesitation.

Marseillais François Régis Mughe (g) has just equalized after additional time against Annecy, March 1, 2023 in Marseille © Nicolas TUCAT / AFP

Totally unknown outside the very small circle of followers of OM's reserve team, Mughe is an 18-year-old Cameroonian striker, who has only played in N3 and the Youth League since his arrival last summer in Marseilles.

On Wednesday, he entered at the end of the match to replace the injured Jordan Veretout, and his victorious center-shooter, voluntary or not, almost saved his team.

Despite JPP

But Marseille fell just after, on penalties, after a session that began with a stoppage by Pau Lopez in front of Annecy defender Ahmed Kashi.

After him, all the Haut-Savoyards succeeded in their attempt, while Nuno Tavares and Leonardo Balerdi failed.

The joy of Annecy players who qualified on penalties against OM in the Coupe de France, on March 1, 2023 in Marseille © Nicolas TUCAT / AFP

Eliminated (2-2, 7 pens to 6) OM fell from very, very high, when they thought they had opened the way to a first Cup final since 2016 by eliminating PSG in the previous round.

With a post, a bar and a badly shot penalty by Alexis Sanchez and released by Thomas Callens before the incredible outcome, Marseille could try to hang on to these mitigating circumstances.

But the huge bronca falling from the stands of the Vélodrome at the final whistle and the images of President Pablo Longoria taking his face in his hands better reflect reality: OM were disastrous and let slip a golden opportunity.

"JPP, tell them the happiness of lifting it!"

With a tarpaulin representing the former Marseille striker and captain brandishing the trophy, the supporters of the Virage Nord had nevertheless set the tone from the kick-off.

But the wait, which has lasted since 1989 and the exploits of Papin, will last at least another year.

Marseillais Jordan Veretout opens the scoring against Annecy, March 1, 2023 in Marseille © Nicolas TUCAT / AFP

Above all, after Sunday's defeat against PSG in the league (3-0), OM and Tudor find themselves under very strong pressure before going to Rennes on Sunday, another candidate for the podium.

Passive OM

Eliminated from European competitions and the Cup, OM must now cling to their second place in the league.

He only has that.

But how did he get there against Annecy, anonymous 10th in Ligue 2?

For half an hour, there was little doubt about Marseille's superiority, but the Tudor team did not have many chances, apart from a goal scored offside by Clauss (19th) and a shot from Sanchez released by Callens (23rd).

Annecy defender Kevin Mouanga (c) scorer against OM, March 1, 2023 in Marseille © Nicolas TUCAT / AFP

In the 29th minute, Marseille still logically ended up finding the opening, after a Sanchez-Clauss action, from whom Veretout snatched the conclusion to go and afford the opener as a birthday present. on his 30th birthday.

Just before the break, on an eccentric free kick, Malinovskyi made the Vélodrome shiver, still packed, with a brutal strike on the bar (41st), but Marseille had not yet completely killed the game at rest .

Annecy goalkeeper Thomas Callens against OM in the Coupe de France, March 1, 2023 in Marseille © Nicolas TUCAT / AFP

It was his mistake and on two incursions by the Annecy players, he was punished twice, first on a counterattack concluded by the Ivorian Moïse Sahi (1-1, 53rd) then on a whim signed Kévin Mouanga from a corner (2-1, 59th).

After the penalty missed by Sanchez (85th), this passive and negligent OM could therefore have been saved by the young Mughe.

He was not and will now have to recover from this shipwreck.

© 2023 AFP