Nantes win earns French Cup semis spot

Captain Ludovic Blas played a part in both goals as Nantes beat second-tier Bastia 2-0 to reach the French Cup semi-finals.

The midfielder drove a powerful shot straight down the middle to convert a penalty given away by the Corsican side inside the first minute on Thursday.

His cross from the right in the 71st then led to striker Randal Kolo Muani's ninth goal of the season.

Nantes will face last year's runner-up Monaco while the other semi-final in early March pits fourth-tier Versailles against high-flying Nice.

Nantes were once a powerhouse in French soccer and celebrated winning their third cup in 2000 and their eighth league title the following year.

The club has won nothing since but coach Antoine Kombouare, a former Nantes defender, has brought much-needed stability back.

Nice knocked out cup holders Paris Saint-Germain on penalty kicks and followed up by routing Marseille 4-1 in the quarters.