Paris: French league leaders Lyon’s hopes of the domestic double this season ended on Tuesday as a hat-trick by Vincent Bessat gave Ligue 1 rivals Nantes a 3-2 victory in a thrilling round of 32 French Cup clash.
The 29-year-old — who was born in Lyon — scored the winner two minutes from the end of normal time to book the Canaries’ place in the last 16.
France international Alexandre Lacazette had given Lyon the lead in the fifth minute but Bessat struck twice in three minutes later in the first half to put the hosts in front.
Lacazette had benefited from a glaring error by Nantes central defender Koffi Djidji, who was making his first appearance of the season.
Bessat, though, levelled with a rasping left-footed shot that beat Lyon keeper Anthony Lopes in the 19th minute after being set up by Esmail Bangoura.
Minutes later Lopes was beaten by Bessat again as the Lyon defence opened up for the winger.
Lyon, however, got back on level terms thanks again to an error by the unfortunate Djidji as he was caught out by the run of Nabil Fekir, who ran on to a ball delivered by Lacazette to score with just over half an hour remaining.
Nantes, though, were not to be denied and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou’s cross picked out Bessat at the back post and he delivered a stunning volley to win the match.
Earlier, the team that Lyon beat to win the 2012 French Cup, Quevilly, produced another famous exploit as the fourth division French side claimed the scalp of Ligue 1 side Bastia, holding their nerve to prevail 3-1 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 after extra-time.
