Florian Thauvin inspires Lens past Toulouse into first Coupe de France final since 1998 | OneFootball

Lens thumped Toulouse 4-1 to book their first Coupe de France final since 1998, with Florian Thauvin central to everything. According to L'Équipe, the forward delivered a dominant display.

Thauvin earned an early penalty after Demba Diop's rash tackle at five minutes, then converted from the spot on nine. Allan Saint-Maximin doubled the lead with a crisp right-foot strike from 20 metres on 18. Santiago Hidalgo pulled one back on 21 after Samson Baidoo lost the ball trying to dribble out.

Saud Abdulhamid then embarrassed Charlie Cresswell and squared for Matthieu Udol to restore the cushion on 35. With Malang Sarr composed at the back, Lens resisted pressure and kept control.

Adrien Thomasson made it four late in the second half to end the contest and seal their trip to the Stade de France. Goalkeeper Kjetil Haug produced a few saves but was beaten by the penalty, Saint-Maximin's drive and Udol's tap-in. The 2018 world champion had a hand in each of Lens's goals.

Abdulhamid impressed throughout, Sarr led by example and Saint-Maximin tormented his flank. Toulouse endured a torrid night, with Cresswell struggling on the third and fourth goals, Diop conceding the penalty and Djibril Sidibé also toiling. Thauvin later went off to a standing ovation on 79, replaced by Amadou Haidara.

Source: L'Équipe