Landreau leads Nantes celebrations

A remarkable performance by goalkeeper Mickaël Landreau in a tense penalty shoot-out sent FC Nantes Atlantique into their first Coupe de Ligue final tonight at the expense of AJ Auxerre.

Crucial role
After a goalless 120 minutes the 25-year-old French international saved three penalties, with the referee twice allowing Auxerre takers a second attempt, before scoring the winner himself as Nantes prevailed 5-4.

Defences on top
Nantes were unbeaten in ten games before kick-off while Auxerre had won their six matches this year without conceding a goal. Unsurprisingly, there was little to separate the two sides, with chances scarce at either end, although Nantes had a goal disallowed in the 32nd minute when Nicolas Gillet was adjudged offside.

Auxerre in charge
Auxerre took the upper hand in the second half with some swift counterattacks led by Djibril Cissé and Ivory Coast international Bonaventure Kalou, but Guy Roux's team were unable to find a way past Landreau.

Decisive stops
But as extra time progressed a shoot-out looked inevitable. Landreau stopped attempts by Cissé, Yohann Radet and Philippe Violeau before scoring the winner.

Second semi
The final will be played on 17 April, with the winners also collecting a berth in next season's UEFA Cup. The second semi-final is played on Wednesday night, with second division promotion challengers AS Saint-Etienne facing high-flying FC Sochaux Montbéliard.