Bordeaux have beaten Evian TG 3-2 this evening to win the Coupe de France.
An 89th minute winner from Cheick Diabate saw off a brave Evian team, who'd twice come from behind to draw level.
After a cagey opening, Bordeaux took the lead just before half time, when Diabate ran through and finished confidently.
Evian came out strongly after the break, and equalised when Yannick Sagbo finished a good team move.
Bordeaux instantly took the lead again before another equaliser from the Ligue 1 minnows.
It was Bordeaux who had the final say though, when an excellent assist released Diabate to get his second of the game and break Evian hearts.
See how the action unfolded with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute coverage below.
Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Coupe de France final between Bordeaux and Evian.
It's an intriguing contest this evening, and hopefully an entertaining one with both sides looking to end eventful seasons on a high.
Evian produced some excellent late-season form to narrowly escape relegation, and after beating Paris Saint-Germain on penalties and Lorient 4-0 in the semi-finals, the club prepares for the biggest day in its history.
Bordeaux meanwhile, looked like title contenders at the beginning of the season but fell away, only to regain some form to finish a respectable seventh in the league. They've won the Cup on three previous occasions and a win tonight would round off a good season for them, with the victors going into next season's Europa League.
The two sides actually met on the final weekend of the league season, with Bordeaux coming out on top, 2-1. Evian midfielder Cedric Barbosa said after the game: "Perhaps there was some good in the defeat because now we know what we have to do [in the final]."
Bordeaux will be favourites this evening, but are without striker Diego Rolan while Evian are at full strength, and after securing their Ligue 1 survival the pressure is off. I wouldn't be surprised by an upset tonight, after all, Wigan Athletic beat Manchester City in England's FA Cup final!
There are a few familiar faces involved in the game tonight. Premier League followers will remember former Manchester United striker David Bellion and former West Ham United winger Julien Faubert, both of whom play for Bordeaux.
Evian have former France international Sidney Govou on their books, and his experience in big games could prove crucial tonight.
It really can't be overstated how big this game is for Evian. They were playing in France's amateur fourth tier the last time Bordeaux won the league... in 2009!
They've since been taken over by Danone, the food processing company, and have risen to the brink of European football within four years.
With kickoff coming up in just eight minutes, let's get some quick team news.
EVIAN: Laquait; Dja Djedje, Cambon, Betao, Wass; Ninkovic, Rabiu, Sorlin, Berigaud; Sagbo, Khlifa
BORDEAUX: Carrasso; Mariano, Sane, Henrique, Tremoulinas; Plasil, Sertic; Saivet, Obraniak, Maurice-Belay; Diabate
There's a fantastic atmosphere building in the Stade de France as the French national anthem is sung and the players go through the pre-match handshakes.
Evian get the game underway...
An early attack for Bordeaux as Diabate runs clear on the left, beating the full-back and getting his cross in, but the goalkeeper catches the ball.
SAVE! A great chance for Bordeaux as Obraniak's free kick finds the head of Sane, who heads well towards the bottom corner only for the goalkeeper to tip the ball wide. Evian clear the resulting corner at the near post.
Sane releases Diabate through the middle, with only the goalkeeper to beat but the striker hesitates and allows the defence to get back and crowd him out!
Both teams playing a quick counter-attacking style at the start of this game. It is making for a fast-paced game, without much quality in the final third though.
Another Bordeaux free kick from Obraniak, this time from the right, is cleared but Evian are camped in their own half as their opponents play the ball between their midfield and defence.
Plasil dispossesses Khlifa in midfield and plays the ball wide for Saivet but the winger is crowded out and the ball goes out for a throw-in. Bordeaux work the ball well back to Plasil, whose shot from 30 yards goes narrowly over.
CHANCE! Diabates beats the offside trap and manages to keep the ball in on the byline before pulling the ball back. Plasil again arrives on the edge of the box but scuffs his shot into the ground and wide.
Another decent chance for Bordeaux as Maurice-Belay breaks on the left before laying the ball wide to Saivet, who chips the ball into the middle of the box where Diabate heads wide on the stretch.
Saivet gets the byline on the left of the penalty area but his cross is cleared, before Tremoulinas gives away a cheap foul in the corner to relieve the pressure on Evian.
Bordeaux attack down the left again, with Saivet finding Tremoulinas whose cross is deflected for a corner. Plasil delivers the ball but the goalkeeper catches at the second attempt.
A late challenge from Mariano brings the game's first yellow card, as well as a free kick on the right touchline for Evian. Khlifa swings the ball in but Cambon heads just over the bar.
Bordeaux are keeping a controlled period of possession now as the tempo drops a little.
Evian nick the ball though and attack on the right with Ninkovic, who is fouled. They work the ball back to their goalkeeper who hits the ball long towards Khlifa but he loses out.
Obriniak beats Dja Djedje in a race down the left and squares the ball for Diabate who is just nudged off the ball. Bordeaux regain possession and cross the ball towards Plasil who is inches away from connecting with the ball at the far post.
Evian are keeping the ball better now, as Sagbo plays it inside the Sorlin on the edge of the box. The midfielder bursts past his marker and wins a corner, but Bordeaux clear the ball.
Tremoulinas gets forward on the left again and plays the ball inside to Maurice-Belay but his cross is poor and goes straight to the goalkeeper.
Evian want a foul on the edge of the box but the referee gives nothing and Bordeaux break. Maurice-Belay again wastes his cross before the referee stops play for the injured player.
Bordeaux attack on the right this time, with Mariano checking back inside and cross with his left. Diabate brings the ball down in the box but wants a penalty. The referee waves it away but stops play for the injury. There is some confusion over the restart with Bordeaux electing to play on from an unchallenged drop ball.
GOAL! Bordeaux 1-0 Evian (Diabate)
Mariano plays the ball over the top for Diabate, who runs clear and rounds the goalkeeper before place the ball beyond the defender on the goal line.
The leaders seem happy to play on the counter-attack now. There is a little more urgency to Evian's play but long balls up to their strikers are being easily defended.
SAVE! Tremoulinas gets the the byline on the left and chips the ball back towards the edge of the box where Saivet volleys it towards the top corner. The goalkeeper saves well though.
HALF-TIME: Bordeaux 1-0 Evian
The referee blows for full time just as a Bordeaux player is fouled creating some confusion, but it is 1-0 to Bordeaux at the break.
They definitely deserve it, having created several good chances and dominated the majority of the match.
Evian aren't out of this game though. So far their best chances have been from set pieces but if they can get the ball into the feet of their front line, they have enough quality to cause Bordeaux problems.
Diabate has been the stand-out player for me though. He's been a willing runner in that first half and his touch has also been good. His goal was deserved and he took with an air of complete confidence.
The striker has been allowed way too much space. The two centre-backs are too far apart, allowing Diabate space to run in to. Evian definitely need to tighten up their defence, or they could find themselves two behind before long.
The full-backs have been a threat for Bordeaux as well, but unfortunately Maurice-Belay and Obraniak have been largely disappointing. Saivet has worked hard and done okay, but Evian have marshalled him well.
The players are making their way back onto the pitch for the second half...
Bordeaux kick off in the second half.
PENALTY! The referee hesitates before awarding Bordeaux a penalty after Diabate is pulled back by Wass.
SAVE! Laquait saves Diabate's penalty! The goalkeeper dives big to his left and claws the ball away with one hand.
GOAL! Bordeaux 1-1 Evian (Sagbo)
Sagbo equalises for Evian after a great team move. Sorlin chips the ball forward to Berigaud, who brings it down and squares to Sagbo who sidefoots into an empty net.
GOAL! Bordeaux 2-1 Evian (Saivet)
Instant response from Bordeaux as Saivet sneaks in at the back post and heads a free kick in. End to end now!
Bordeaux back on the attack now. They're really putting pressure on Evian after their second goal.
CHANCE! Saivet gets the byline on the right and centres the ball. Diabate beats the goalkeeper in the air but Cambon heads the ball off the line.
SUBSTITUTION: Ninkovic comes off for Cedric Barbosa as Evian look to change their shape slightly.
Plasil brings down Berigaud as he looks the play in Sagbo and the referee awards the free kick. Berigaud gets up to take and finds Khlifa at the back post but Bordeaux clear.
The tempo has dropped again now, as Evian look to push Bordeaux are happy to sit back and play on the break.
SUBSTITUTION: Bordeaux replace Plasil with Andre Poko in midfield.
After a break in play for an injury, Evian keep the ball well in their midfield but can't really get behind the Bordeaux defence at the moment.
GOAL! Bordeaux 2-2 Evian (Dja Djedje)
They do finally get behind the defence! A long ball finds Sagbo, who holds the ball up well just inside the box before laying it off to Barbosa, who fires the ball across the goal where Dja Djedje comes in at the back post to bundle in the equaliser.
CHANCE! Barbosa fires a long-range free-kick inches over after Sorlin was fouled.
Bordeaux attack on the right with Mariano but his cross is blocked for a throw. They launch a long one into the box but the goalkeeper claims the ball and Evian break.
Sagbo brings the ball down well on the right and cuts inside but his left-footed shot goes harmlessly over the bar.
Bordeaux attack down the right again but Maurice-Belay can't find Diabate in the middle. Saivet recovers the ball on the left and crosses the ball. The goalkeeper fumbles it but Evian get the ball clear.
Bordeaux are on the attack now. Neither team can really put pressure on the other's defence but Bordeaux are coming closest to creating something in the final few minutes of the ninety.
Evian have a throw on the right and find Sagbo, but he is dispossessed and Bordeaux gain possession. Saivet finds Diabate on the left and Bordeaux work the ball across the pitch to Mariano, whose cross is blocked for a corner.
GOAL! Bordeaux 3-2 Evian (Diabate)
Evian clear the ball from the corner but not far enough. Sertic plays it to Saivet, who chips the ball over the defence with the outside of his foot for Diabate to run on the and fire past the goalkeeper.
FULL-TIME: Bordeaux 3-2 Evian
Bordeaux are Coupe de France champions!
Heartbreak for Evian, who battled back twice to equalise but just didn't have enough in the end as Bordeaux score in the 89th minute!
Saivet and Diabate were the difference in the end, and on the balance of play, Bordeaux deserved the win. It was truly remarkable pass from Saivet for the winner and Diabate scored his tenth goal in nine games.
After a slow start, I didn't really want that to end. A very entertaining game of football.
Thanks for joining me and I hope you have a good evening.
Written by
Daniel Cross
Daniel Cross
