Nice crash out of French League Cup

Paris (AFP) – Ligue 1 leaders Nice were knocked out of the French League Cup on Wednesday, going down 3-2 to Bordeaux in their last-16 tie.

Jaroslav Plasil put Bordeaux ahead after 14 minutes and a 22nd-minute strike from Gaetan Laborde made it 2-0 before Alassane Plea pulled one back just before the interval.

Laborde restored Bordeaux’s two-goal lead 10 minutes into the second period with Mario Balotelli’s 83rd-minute penalty proving just a consolation for Nice who have already been eliminated from the Europa League this season.

Later Wednesday, holders Paris Saint-Germain face Lille in a repeat of last year’s final while Monaco, second in Ligue 1, host Rennes for a place in the quarter-finals.

On Tuesday, Marseille crashed out after losing 4-3 on penalties to second-tier Sochaux following a 1-1 draw.

Bouna Sarr fired the three-time champions ahead at the Stade Bonal but Moussa Sao swiftly responded to level for hosts Sochaux.

Goalkeeper Christopher Dilo then saved spot-kicks from Doria and Aaron Leya Iseka in the shootout as Sochaux, the only non top-flight team left in the competition, advanced to the quarter-finals.

Portugal international Sergio Conceicao made a winning start as Nantes manager with a 3-1 victory over Montpellier.

Argentine striker Emiliano Sala struck either side of a Kevin Berigaud goal at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

Poland international Mariusz Stepinski added a third for Nantes on the hour, although the hosts played out the final few minutes with 10 men after the dismissal of Abdoulaye Toure.