Lens reach Coupe de France semi-finals after 2-2 draw at Lyon and shootout win | OneFootball

Lens advanced to the Coupe de France semi-finals after a 2-2 draw at Lyon, winning the shootout as Moussa Niakhaté’s miss proved decisive.

As reported by Get French Football News, Pierre Sage returned to his former Groupama Stadium home for the fourth quarter-final, with the winners set to meet Toulouse.

The visitors controlled the early exchanges, with Adrien Thomasson and the excellent Mamadou Sangaré bossing Lyon’s diamond. It was also noted that Paulo Fonseca, 53 today, remained without Malick Fofana, Pavel Sulc, Afonso Moreira and Ernest Nuamah.

Florian Thauvin poached the opener after Rémy Descamps spilled Saud Abdulhamid’s long-range strike. Lens threatened on the break, Descamps denied Odsonne Edouard before half-time, but Abdallah Sima then arrowed into the top corner from Thauvin’s pass. Sima started after Wesley Saïd was injured in the warm-up.

Lyon were wasteful until Roman Yaremchuk rattled Robin Risser’s bar, then headed in Rémi Himbert’s superb cross to halve the deficit. The hosts rallied as Lens tired, with Sage waiting until the 78th minute to make changes.

Deep into added time, Risser rushed out for a loose ball, Corentin Tolisso got there first and squared for Himbert to clip into the unguarded net, forcing penalties.

Lens kept their nerve in the shootout and converted all of their spot-kicks, while Risser saved Niakhaté’s low attempt. Their pursuit of a maiden Coupe de France continues.

Source: Get French Football News