PSG hit seven in French Cup rout to join Dunkerque in semi-finals

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Ramos scored a hat trick or PSG against Stade Briochin on Wednesday. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain cruised into the French Cup semi-finals after thrashing fourth-tier Stade Briochin 7-0 on Wednesday, while second-tier Dunkerque came from two goals down to beat Brest 3-2.

Joao Neves drilled PSG ahead at Roazhon Park, the home of fellow Ligue 1 side Rennes, and the holders struck again before half-time through Goncalo Ramos. Portugal international Ramos added another from the penalty spot early in the second half, with Desire Doue increasing the lead before Ramos completed his hat-trick on 58 minutes.

Senny Mayulu made it six before Ousmane Dembele came off the bench to round off the scoring as the record 15-time cup winners ended the fairytale run of their opponents from Brittany, who had stunned Nice in the previous round. Ligue 2 promotion chasers Dunkerque upset Brest courtesy of two late goals from substitute Opa Sangante, reaching the last four of the competition for the first time since 1929.

Brest led through a Mathias Pereira Lage strike before Bendjaloud Youssouf's own goal put the hosts 2-0 up on the hour, but Dunkerque captain Vincent Sasso pulled one back before Sangante's heroics capped a remarkable fightback. "I told the players we were capable of turning the game around. Even when we were 2-0 down, when I sent players on I told them if we scored a goal we would get back into it," said Dunkerque coach Luis Castro.

"Opa was injured and I thought he wasn't going to play today. But we needed him for 30 minutes and he didn't do badly," beamed Castro, whose side had already knocked out Ligue 1 clubs Auxerre and Lille en route to the last eight. Fourth-tier Cannes reached the semi-finals on Tuesday along with Reims, with the draw to be held on Thursday.