Unfancied Guingamp claim French Cup glory

Eduardo scored twice as EA Guingamp became the first Ligue 2 side to win the French Cup final in 50 years, coming from a goal behind to overcome top-flight Stade Rennais FC 2-1 in the all-Breton affair at the Stade de France.



Bocanegra opener
Two-time cup winners Rennes, seventh in Ligue 1 and the overwhelming favourites in the final, appeared set to scupper the dream of the side 13th in the second tier when Carlos Bocanegra opened the scoring with 20 minutes left but Eduardo had other ideas. The Brazilian levelled within two minutes then struck a dramatic winner to give Guingamp their first trophy since the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1996 and a place in next season's UEFA Europa League.

Douchez influence
Home to just 9,000 people, Guingamp had most of the chances in the first half with opposition goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez making key saves from Eduardo and Richard Soumah, although Rennes arguably went closest when Jérôme Leroy struck the bar from 25 metres. Moussa Sow was also denied by the frame of the goal after the interval but Guy Lacombe's side were finally rewarded when Bruno Cheyrou's free-kick from the right was headed in by defender Bocanegra.

Eduardo response
Lacombe, who held the reins at Guingamp from 1999 to 2002 and led them into the top division in 1999/00, admitted before the game that the club were "special" to him and his former employers replied to the setback with a distinctive response. Eduardo capitalised on Petter Hansson's miscued clearance to fire the equaliser past Douchez, the first time the custodian had conceded in the cup campaign, then converted Lionel Mathis's pass with an effort off the post on 83 minutes.

'Magnificent' achievement
The underdogs were then capable of resisting a late surge to complete a third victory over a Ligue 1 side in the competition this season. "It's magnificent," Eduardo said. "I don't feel like the hero of the game because the team are the hero, experienced players staying calm all throughout the game