second half goal by Portuguese striker Pedro Pauleta gave Paris St Germain a 2-1 win over Lille and a place in the French Cup semi-finals on Tuesday.

Pauleta, the Ligue 1 top scorer with 20 goals, netted on 57 minutes with a fine curling shot from just outside the box.

PSG, who are eighth in the league, hope to regain the Cup they won in 2004 to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

Lille started brightly and opened the scoring in the 30th minute when Greek defender Efstathios Tavlaridis headed home from a corner kick.

PSG equalised 10 minutes later through Ivory Coast striker Bonaventure Kalou and Pauleta settled the issue.

In another quarter-final later on Tuesday, Olympique Lyon, on the brink of a record fifth national title, continue their bid for a double when they entertain Olympique Marseille.

On Wednesday, in-form Stade Rennes, who have won their last eight league games, take on Ligue 2 side Montpellier and amateurs Calais entertain Nantes in a re-run of the 2000 final Nantes won 2-1.

The draw for the semi-finals will be made on Thursday