Lyon reach French Cup semifinals on penalties
Lyon continued their remarkable recent revival by beating Strasbourg 4-3 on penalties on Tuesday to win through to the French Cup semifinals after their last-eight tie finished goalless at the end of 90 minutes.
Playing in front of a packed home crowd, Lyon dominated the quarterfinal match-up but Maxence Caqueret and Gift Orban missed good chances, while Said Benrahma hit the post direct from a corner.
With no extra time before the final the tie went straight to penalties, and goalkeeper Lucas Perri, a January signing by Lyon from Botafogo in his native Brazil, made himself a hero by saving Thomas Delaine’s kick, the first in the shoot-out.
Lyon converted all of their kicks, and their place in the last four was assured when Lucas Perrin put Strasbourg’s fifth penalty over the bar.
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The shootout victory comes on the back of a run of seven wins in their last nine league outings under new coach Pierre Sage which has allowed Lyon to pull clear of the relegation zone.
It is the fourth time in the last six seasons in which Lyon have been in the French Cup semifinals, but they have not reached the final since they last won the trophy in 2012.
Paris Saint-Germain, who play Nice at home in the last eight on 13 March, remain the favourites to win the competition.