Nice Reaches French Cup Semi-Finals After Goalless Draw and Lorient Red Card
T.E (Elbotola)
04 March 2026at22:15
Nice reached the semi-finals of the French Cup after overcoming Lorient on penalties, following a goalless draw after regular and extra time. The quarter-final match, held today at the Stade du Moustoir in Lorient, saw no goals despite continuous attempts from both sides to find the net and secure qualification before resorting to a penalty shootout.
Moments before the end of the first half, the match took a significant turn when the referee showed a red card to Lorient player Pablo Pagis in the 44th minute, forcing him to leave the field. Despite being a man down, the home side held firm defensively, while the visitors failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage to change the score. As a result, regular and extra time ended without goals, before the penalty shootout favored Nice at the conclusion of the match.
What happened in the French Cup quarter-final between Nice and Lorient?
Nice secured their spot in the French Cup semi-finals by defeating Lorient in a penalty shootout. The quarter-final match concluded goalless after both regular and extra time, despite continuous efforts from both teams to score before the dramatic conclusion.
How did Lorient's red card affect the French Cup match?
Lorient's Pablo Pagis received a red card in the 44th minute, forcing his team to play a man down for the majority of the match. Despite this significant disadvantage, Lorient held firm defensively, preventing Nice from scoring and forcing the French Cup quarter-final into a penalty shootout.
What are the implications for Nice after reaching the French Cup semi-finals?
Nice's victory means they have advanced to the semi-finals of the French Cup, keeping their hopes alive for winning the prestigious domestic competition. This progression positions them among the top teams still competing for the trophy, setting the stage for future high-stakes encounters.
