Nantes secured their place in the Coupe de France final for a second successive season after Ludovic Blas’ sensational second-half strike secured a deserved 1-0 win against Lyon.
The holders sit 14th in Ligue 1 but have enjoyed another inspired cup run, with Wednesday’s upset of Lyon now gifting them the opportunity to win back-to-back crowns.
Jean-Charles Castelletto almost gave Nantes the perfect start but his first-minute effort was saved expertly by Anthony Lopes.
The home side thought they had gone ahead when Samuel Moutoussamy capitalised on a Lyon defensive mistake, but his effort was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
Antoine Kombouare’s side would finally make their advantage pay in the second half, however, as Blas fired home a marvellous left-footed effort into the top corner to secure another famous win in front of a frenzied home crowd.
The defending champions will now play either Toulouse or second-tier Annecy in the final on April 29.
