FC Differdange completes domestic double

F91's strongest game of the season?

Having notoriously struggled against the champions this season, Dudelange seemed to have a particularly unwanted opponent standing between them and the first shot at silverware in three years. The last five games between the two sides had yielded one draw and four losses heading into the final.

Differdange's historical defensive record could also have unsettled their opponents mentally ahead of the game: the title-winners' defence, led by veteran goalkeeper Felipe, conceded only seven goals across the 30 games, including an unprecedented 16-game clean-sheet run from February until mid-May.

While they were missing Théo Brusco in the last game, the squad seemed more than equipped to cope with an F91 side whose attacks have proven predictable at times this season.

In contrast to all of the above, F91 were fearless and delivered the drama. They took the early lead with a goal by captain Samir Hadji, who continues to be the focal point of his team's attack, no matter how many defenders try to contain him. A late equaliser delayed celebrations from the Dudelange end, but in the second half of extra time, they found themselves in front again, after Hadji's cross was diverted by Kévin d'Anzico into his own net.

It took several minutes of continuous pressure for the champions to bounce back yet again, following several nervy minutes and some clumsy defending inside the box. The breakthrough came after a throw-in, when Enzo Lima failed to clear out the ball and accidentally handled it. The referee spotted the foul immediately, and the resulting penalty was calmly converted by the league's most valuable player (for the second time going), Guillaume Trani.

Not the goalkeepers' favourite day

Despite it being a dramatic final with plenty of opportunities and some eye-catching saves in clutch moments, the night was not one to cherish for either goalkeeper from an individual standpoint.

This was the first time Felipe conceded two goals in the same game since 1 August, when Kazakh champions Ordabasy knocked Differdange out of the UEFA Conference League qualifiers with a 4-3 victory in the second leg. This was, therefore, the first time in a domestic setting during his time in the Grand Duchy, and it took 120 minutes - and a really unlucky own goal - for it to happen.

In the penalty shootout, however, he had no more tricks up his sleeve. He has been the biggest penalty specialist in the country since his arrival in the summer, but all Dudelange takers (Hadji, Guilain Zrankéon, Mehdi Kirch, Yannick Schaus and Miguel Gonçalves) avoided the goalkeeper with their attempts – including Zrankéon, who skied his penalty and ultimately decided the shootout.

Didier Desprez, on the other hand, had less to do in the opening 90 minutes, but faced a busy extra time period (allegedly getting cramps at one point), culminating in that spot kick by Trani. The Frenchman eventually proved to be his nemesis as he converted his second penalty as well, the last one in the shootout. Before him, Diogo Silva, Rychelmy, Fede Varela and Dylan Lempereur all kept their nerve and found the net, too, without much hesitation.

An otherwise exciting and intriguing final saw most of the suspense removed by an almost flawless set of penalty takers in the end. In most cases, the goalkeepers could do nothing to salvage the situation. A 0% combined save rate, though, points to an unfortunate half-hour at the very least – and perhaps some room for improvement in this facet of the game.

D'Anzico gets redemption, Lima less fortunate

The agony was visible on Enzo Lima's face in the broadcast.

Looking around in desperation, the youngster – still only 20 – was immediately aware of the consequences of what had just happened.

The young substitute had just given away a penalty in the 119th minute of a final. Dudelange had been amazing underdogs until that point, coping with the immense pressure that comes with playing against behemoths Differdange, and were two minutes away from doing the almost unthinkable. Enter an accidental handball, and the script is flipped.

There was no way back. Trani scored and equalised, then put away another penalty to decide the shootout, and leave everyone in yellow wondering what could have been. Granted, Zrankéon's penalty miss also had a direct impact on the final result. But if only… if only that routine clearance didn't bring with it that one fatal touch.

For Lima, who showed great maturity in the final until the infamous moment, it might go down as a devastating night. Others, though, have also made mistakes, and can count themselves lucky not to have been punished for them.

Kévin d'Anzico might just use this final as a turning point of his fortunes. A solid and reliable defender in the league, his first appearance for the Luxembourgish national team in 2024 was far from ideal. A penalty given away early on and a half-time substitution (by the time he was already on a yellow) raised some concerns about the mental fortitude of the centre-back, who had previously seemed to be destined for the professional world.

Ever since that crazy evening in Belarus, d'Anzico never had the chance to bounce back and show his true colours. This cup final could have been the perfect opportunity to do so. What happened was unfortunate, but incredibly costly nonetheless: in the 110th minute, the defender reacted hastily to a largely harmless Hadji cross towards the far post, where goalkeeper Felipe and the defence seemed to be completely in charge of the situation. Cue d'Anzico, and a diving attempt to cut the danger out. Instead, he slid and directed the ball towards his own goal… with Felipe nowhere to be found, having already moved to cover the angle on the far side.

D'Anzico must have found it almost unfathomable. Two of the biggest nights of his career, two impressive displays, all ruined by one errant touch, a one-second lapse of concentration, or a lack of communication… and his team's situation was perilous again.

The relief he must have felt after his teammates ensured the trophy ended up in their hands could have easily outshone the pure joy of securing silverware. For him, it was a moment of vindication at last – an encouraging feedback to help him get the required confidence to recover from the stumbles along the way.

Lima's situation, meanwhile, has turned on its head in the last few weeks. He scored his second-ever goal in a competitive game at senior level last week, when he found the net in the league against Bettembourg. He was thrust into deep water by manager Mika Pinto in the final, and stood firm until the moment that changed the course of the game.

In the end, he trudged off with a silver medal around his neck and a look of emptiness and disappointment on his face – but when he looks back on this season, he can realise that he did himself proud. He has established himself as a useful squad player to be counted on despite his young age and relative inexperience, and can build on these foundations next year.

And if he continues on the same trajectory, perhaps more finals will await. Some luckier ones, too.