Lille beat struggling Metz 2-1, Brest win thriller to qualify for Europe

Updated: Apr 28, 2024, 11:45 pm

April 28 (Reuters) - Lille secured a 2-1 Ligue 1 victory at relegation-threatened Metz, while their top-three rivals Brest came from two goals down to win 5-4 at Stade Rennais on Sunday and qualify for Europe for the first time.

Brest reclaimed third place in the standings with 56 points, one more than fourth-placed Lille and two fewer than second-placed Monaco, who were beaten 3-2 by Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday.

Rennes remain in seventh place. Metz are 16th on 29 points with three games left.

Metz striker Georges Mikautadze made no mistake from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute as he scored his 11th goal across all competitions this season after Lille were penalised for handball.

Eight minutes later, Lille left back Ismaily equalised with a shot into the bottom corner following an assist by Jonathan David and Yusuf Yazici put the visitors ahead just before halftime with a right-foot strike.

Lille, who dominated possession throughout, have won four of their last five Ligue 1 matches with the loss coming against top-three rivals AS Monaco.

LAST-GASP WIN

A last-gasp goal from Lillian Brassier secured Brest victory against Rennes to continue their push for Champions League football next season and ensure that the club would be competing in Europe for the first time.

Rennes striker Arnaud Kalimuendo scored a brace within nine minutes to the delight of the home fans at Roazhon Park, but Brest offered an immediate response as their captain Steve Mounie pulled one back with a close-range shot.

There was little to separate the sides after the fiery opening, which saw three goals in 11 minutes, until a 48th-minute own-goal by Rennes defender Warmed Omari allowed Brest to level things up.

Martin Satriano put Brest ahead for the first time in the match in the 54th minute, with Mahdi Camara striking 12 minutes later to double their lead.

Rennes defender Arthur Theate hit a thunderbolt from outside the box to reduce the deficit and Martin Terrier levelled from a set-piece.

The sides had looked set to share the spoils until Brest centre back Brassier headed home from close range in injury time.

(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Tommy Lund, editing by Ed Osmond and Toby Davis)