Juninho fires Lyon into French Cup final

Olympique Lyon needed a late long-range Juninho free kick to beat second division Sedan 1-0 on Wednesday and advance to the French Cup final.

The six-times French champions struggled against their brave visitors until the Brazil midfielder fired home from over 35 metres out with two minutes left.

Lyon, two points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with two matches left and chasing their first league and Cup double, will meet Paris St Germain in the final on May 24 at Stade de France.

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PSG reached the showpiece match on Tuesday with a 1-0 win at second division Amiens.

Lyon dominated but create few chances and had to wait until France striker Karim Benzema and Juninho came on as late substitutes to really move on top.

The fact that they made the final means the fifth-placed side in Ligue 1 will qualify for the UEFA Cup. St Etienne hold that spot.

In a class of their own in the league for years, Lyon have a real problem with the Cup, which they lifted for the third and last time in 1973.

The last French side to win the league and Cup titles the same season was Auxerre in 1996.