Matthieu Jalibert's clutch long range penalty sends Bordeaux into the semi-finals

Matthieu Jalibert's clutch long range penalty sends Bordeaux into the semi-finals

A match that some may claim to be one for the purists but in truth, it was far from pretty or entertaining but Bordeaux are into the Champions Cup semi-finals beating Racing 92 24-21.

Flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert scored all 24 points for Bordeaux as he outscored Racing 92's kickers Maxime Machenaud and Teddy Iribaren to send his side into the Champions Cup semi-finals 

With the scores level at 21 points apiece, Jalibert stepped up to slot the winner from just inside his own half. 






Racing 92 were dealt an early blow with in-form hooker Camille Chat leaving the pitch in the opening minute of the game. Maxime Machenaud and Matthieu Jalibert traded early penalties in the first 10 minutes of the game before Antoine Gibert cooly slotted a drop goal in the 14th minute.

The two sides were level at 9 points a piece after 30 minutes before Remi Lamerat was sent to the sin bin for tripping a Racing 92 player. The scores would not change by half time. The second half didn't break into live either. Machenaud added a penalty to make it a three-point lead before Bordeaux were held up over the line with Jalibert levelling it from the ensuing penalty. 

There was almost a sending off in the 53rd minute as Ben Tamefinau dove into tackle Kurtley Beale. The tighthead smothered Beale but due to his body height and Beale's falling as well, he rightly escaped with just a penalty which Machenaud chipped in between the posts.

Jalibert edged Bordeaux in front with two penalties before Baptiste Chouzenoux was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle. Jalibert missed the shot at goal and Teddy Iribaren levelled the scores once again in the 68th minute.

Bordeaux had a good period of attack, probably the best of the match, in the 70th minute which ended in a penalty that Jalibert slotted with six minutes left to play. With it all to do, Jalibert pinged Racing 92 back in their own half with a few neat kicks before Racing escaped with a penalty and had the chance to score a winner. Guido Petti stole the lineout but as they looked to kick, Jalibert was caught in possession and Racing won a penalty. Iribaren managed to level things with his kick just sneaking over to level things at 21 points apiece. 

Bordeaux turned the ball over from the resulting kick-off and looked to have scored through Yoram Moefana but Ben Lam was judged to have played the ball in the ruck and Gibert found touch near halfway. Bordeaux managed to win the penalty and Jalibert lined up the long-range kick which he expertly smashed through the sticks to seal the result and send Bordeaux into the Champions Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history. 

 
 
 
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