Matthieu Jalibert kicks UBB into the Champions Cup semis

France star Matthieu Jalibert was once again the hero for Bordeaux-Begles, kicking all of their points, including a last minute penalty, to snatch a 24-21 triumph over Racing 92 in the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

In a game that was dominated by the boot, Jalibert kicked three penalties to Maxime Machenaud’s two in the first half, while Antoine Gibert added a drop-goal for the visitors.

The teams duly went in level at the break, with neither team finding their rhythm in attack, and that theme continued in the second-period.

Jalibert traded efforts off the tee with Racing duo Machenaud and Teddy Iribaren before the UBB man took aim from 55 metres out with the clock in the red to win the game for the hosts.

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These teams produced impressive performances in their last-16 encounters, but none of that quality was on display on Sunday.

Instead, mistakes were prevalent as the two sides went head-to-head in a ferocious breakdown battle. Every ruck was a contest and, as a result, both outfits regularly transgressed.

Machenaud and Jalibert began their kicking duel in the opening 10 minutes, scoring a penalty apiece before Gibert added a drop-goal to take Racing in front.

No more than three points separated the teams throughout the match and therefore Bordeaux were the next to get on the scoreboard as their fly-half levelled matters.

Two more three-pointers meant it remained evenly poised going into the latter stages of the first half, but a cynical trip by home centre Remi Lamerat, which earned him 10 minutes off the field, potentially opened up an opportunity for the visitors.

However, they failed to take advantage as the game continued in the same fashion in the second period. Jalibert and Machenaud took it in turns to fire a shot at goal and after 61 minutes UBB held a narrow 18-15 lead.

Matthieu Jalibert with a MONSTER of a kick to win it at the death! ☄️🎯

Bordeaux Begles have clinched their first-ever #HeinekenChampionsCup semi-final spot! 👏 pic.twitter.com/kJUekmHL3W

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) April 11, 2021

Racing then suffered a blow when Baptiste Chouzenoux was yellow carded for a shoulder to the head of Ben Lam, but the encounter remained tight.

Iribaren came on to the field to equalise off the tee but Jalibert scored a penalty in the 74th minute to move Bordeaux back in front.

Jalibert’s seventh successful effort off the tee could have been decisive but, when the replacement Racing scrum-half kicked his second three-pointer, extra-time beckoned. That particularly seemed to be the case when Yoram Moefana was denied a last minute try due to an infringement at the breakdown from Lam.

Instead of ending the game and resetting ahead of the next 20 minutes, the Parisians went for the win. However, Gibert’s penalty into touch didn’t reach halfway and, after Ben Tameifuna had earned a turnover penalty, the Bordeaux playmaker proved to be the hero, snatching the win for his team with a long-range effort.