Monaco and Lens hold nerve in cup

AS Monaco FC claimed a thrilling 4-3 extra-time victory against FC Sochaux-Montbéliard as they and RC Lens completed the French Cup semi-final lineup.

The writing was on the wall for the principality side as they reached 90 minutes 3-2 down. Yet substitute Juan Pablo Pino chose a timely moment to register his first goal of the season – the fourth minute of added time – to force the extra half-hour and then played a part in the 95th-minute winner as his shot was parried only as far as the lurking Moussa Maazou.

It was an apt finale to a topsy-turvy game which had sparked to life with a goal from all of 45 metres by Ryad Boudebouz just before the half-hour. By the interval efforts from Sébastien Puygrenier and Lukman Haruna had given Monaco the advantage but soon after the restart Stéphane Dalmat equalised and then teed up Ideye Brown to turn the game on its head once more. Pino ensured another twist, however.

In the end it was easier going for Lens in Wednesday's other semi-final, but they conceded within the opening 60 seconds at home to AS Saint-Etienne. Kevin Mirallas gave the visitors a dream start before goals from Eduardo (36), Alaeddine Yahia (75) and Sébastien Roudet (89) turned things around.

Lens and Monaco join Paris Saint-Germain FC and fourth-tier amateurs US Quevilly in Sunday's last-four draw.