French Cup holder Nantes advances to last 8 on penalties

Wed, Feb 8, 2023
Soccer News (AP)

PARIS (AP) - French Cup holder Nantes snatched a late equalizer against Angers before prevailing in a penalty shootout to advance to the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

After conceding an early goal, Nantes struggled to find an edge until Florent Mollet beat goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni with a powerful half-volley with three minutes left.

The match finished 1-1 and Nantes' players were flawless during the 4-2 shootout while Amine Salama and Faouzi Ghoulam missed for the hosts.

Lyon wasted a two-goal lead but also advanced 4-2 on penalties against top-tier rival Lille after finishing 2-2.

Goals from Ryan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette had given Lyon a 2-0 advantage after 21 minutes. Jonathan David pulled one back in the 29th before Edon Zhegrova leveled soon after the hour-mark. Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes then denied Mohamed Bayo's effort during the shootout before Timothy Weah hit the crossbar.

Second-division side Rodez beat Auxerre 3-2, with Grenoble also advancing. Reims lost 3-1 at Toulouse.

Marseille hosted bitter rival Paris Saint-Germain later Wednesday at Stade Velodrome, with PSG missing injured striker Kylian Mbappe. PSG has won the trophy a record 14 times while Marseille won the last of its 10 cups in 1989. PSG and Marseille are first and second, respectively, in the French league.

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