Holders Nantes down Lyon to reach French Cup final
Nantes reached a second straight French Cup final as Ludovic Blas’ brilliant goal gave the holders a 1-0 last-four victory over Lyon on Wednesday.
Antoine Kombouare’s side booked a place in the April 29 showpiece at the Stade de France against either Toulouse or second-tier Annecy.
Lyon are still waiting for a first appearance in the final since winning the competition in 2012, after failing to back up last weekend’s Ligue 1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
C'est la pause.
Rien n'est fait. Il reste 45 minutes (voire plus si séance de penalties) pour aller en finale. pic.twitter.com/CSmmN9Ju4Z
— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) April 5, 2023
Nantes, whose Cup triumph last season was their first major trophy since winning the league in 2001, have a golden chance of a successful defence.
Record 14-time winners PSG suffered a second straight early exit in the last 16 to Marseille, who were then dumped out by Annecy.
Nantes started brightly on Wednesday as they continued their bid for a fifth French Cup.
Jean-Charles Castelletto was denied an opening goal in just the second minute by Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, who also saved from Blas 20 minutes later.
EN FINALEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !
Dans une Beaujoire exceptionnelle et un public incroyable, nos Jaune et Vert ont été impériaux pour la qualification en finale. pic.twitter.com/vGjRh8E0JY
— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) April 5, 2023
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Samuel Moutoussamy thought he had broken the deadlock just after the half-hour mark but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed missed good chances either side of half-time, calling Lopes into action again before blazing wide.
Blas made no such mistake in the 57th minute, though, controlling Fabien Centonze’s long ball on his chest before slamming a left-footed volley past Lopes.
Bradley Barcola went close to a late equaliser as Lyon belatedly woke up, but Nantes held on for a deserved victory.