Grenoble reach first ever French Cup semi-final

Grenoble qualified for the French Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history after a comfortable 2-0 home win over Monaco in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Eliminated at this stage in 1953, 2001 and 2005, Grenoble took a 13th-minute lead through 31-year-old striker Daniel Moreira, who failed to score a goal in two seasons for his previous club Rennes.

Another old hand, 34-year-old Nassim Akrour, killed off Monaco’s hopes with a goal in the ninth minute of the second half.

It was Akrour’s second key goal in a week, having scored an injury-time winner against troubled St Etienne in the league on Sunday.

That victory left Grenoble ninth in the championship, six points above the relegation zone with 10 games of the season remaining, and with a cup semi-final to come on April 21 or 22, Grenoble’s first season in the top-flight in 45 years looks destined for an exciting climax.

Monaco, meanwhile, continue to suffer from the inconsistency that has plagued the club since 2005, when they reached the semi-finals of the French Cup and finished third in the league.

Toulouse, second-tier Guingamp and either Rennes or third-division Rodez – who face off later on Wednesday – will join Grenoble in Sunday’s draw for the semi-finals.