Nantes reached the French Cup final for the first time in 22 years by beating Monaco on penalties Wednesday after an exciting game finished in a 2-2 draw. (More Football News)
Nigeria winger Moses Simon scored the decisive spot-kick to make it 4-2 in the shootout and spark a pitch invasion at Stade de la Beaujoire as jubilant Nantes fans celebrated in a good-natured atmosphere.
Having only just stayed in the first division after winning a promotion-relegation playoff last season, it has been some turnaround for Nantes. Coach Antoine Kombouare바카라™s side is on course for a first trophy since winning the cup in 2000.
Nantes will aim to win it for the fourth time when thet face Nice on May 8 at Stade de France. Monaco바카라™s missed penalties came from France internationals Wissam Ben Yedder 바카라” the regular penalty taker and the league바카라™s top scorer 바카라” and midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
In a fair match with no yellow cards, Monaco defender Guillermo Maripan headed the visitors ahead in the 12th minute from Caio Henrique바카라™s free kick. But Nantes equalized midway through the first half when Monaco right back Djibril Sidibe scored into his own net when sliding to cut out forward Randal Kolo Muani바카라™s pass.
 Simon cut in from the right and had a shot saved by German goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel in the 71st. Nuebel was helpless three minutes later when midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy stroked the ball in after a scramble in the penalty area.
Monaco scored straight from the restart when Nantes goalkeeper Remy Descamps hesitated to come out for a cross, and substitute Myron Boadu headed in. Nantes won the competition back-to-back in 1999 and 2000, while Monaco last won in 바카라™91 under storied coach Arsene Wenger and was runner-up last year.
Nice beat fourth-tier Versailles 2-0 on Tuesday, having knocked out holder Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille.
