Coupe de la Ligue: Stade Rennes 2 Troyes 1

Rennes advanced to the semi-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue after beating Troyes 2-1 at the Stade de la Route de Lorient on Thursday.

The match seemed destined for extra-time with the scores locked at 1-1 before Rennes midfielder Romain Alessandrini netted the winner in the 88th minute.

Earlier, Rennes made an ideal start to the contest when Burkina Faso forward Jonathan Pitroipa opened the scoring in the eighth minute.

But the teams were back on level terms 14 minutes later when Troyes’ teenage striker Jean Corentin found the net on his senior debut for the club.

Rennes take on Montpellier in the last four, with Saint-Etienne to meet Lille in the other semi.

The winners of the tournament will qualify for the Europa League.