Lens beat Lyon on penalties to reach French Cup semis

Lens maintained their hopes of securing a rare double in the French league and cup by overcoming Lyon 5-4 in a penalty shootout on Thursday, progressing to the semi-finals after a 2-2 draw in their quarter-final encounter.

The key figure for Lens was French international striker Florian Thauvin, who netted a goal and delivered an assist in regular time and then slotted home the vital penalty in the shoot-out.

Lens remain the primary challengers to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, trailing the title holders by four points.

With their place in the Cup semi-finals confirmed, Lens will entertain Toulouse next month while aiming to claim the trophy for the first time in club history.

Lens held a 2-0 lead at the break in the Groupama Stadium, as Thauvin tapped in the first goal halfway through the initial half following a save on Saud Abdulhamids effort. Abdallah Sima then blasted in a second just before the interval.

Post-interval, Roman Yaremchuk struck the bar, yet Lyon clawed one back via a header from replacement Remi Himbert midway through the latter period.

Lens seemed poised to prevail until the 18-year-old Himbert drew level deep into added time, with custodian Robin Risser caught unaware.

The French Cup rules omit extra time prior to the final, leading directly to penalties, where only Lyon's Moussa Niakhate faltered, his attempt repelled by Risser.

This paved the way for Thauvin to convert the decisive spot-kick, lining up a semi-final against Toulouse, who prevailed 4-3 on penalties over Marseille on Wednesday following their own 2-2 quarter-final stalemate.

Nice advanced via penalties at Lorient and will now travel to Strasbourg, who defeated Reims 2-1 on Tuesday.