Brest Makes Club History By Qualifying For Europe. PSG Will Win League If Monaco Fails To Beat Lyon – News18

PARIS: Brest made club history by qualifying for any European competition for the first time with a 5-4 win over Rennes in the French league on Sunday.

In an emotional roller coaster for Brest, defender Lilian Brassier scored the winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time by heading home a free kick. Brest remained third — in the last automatic Champions League spot — and secured a top-six finish, which means a Europa Conference League playoff spot at least.

At the top, defending champion Paris Saint-Germain can clinch the title if second-place Monaco drops points later Sunday at Lyon.

Rennes took a 2-0 lead with two goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo in the opening 10 minutes. But Brest fought back to level the game before Martin Satriano and Mahdi Camara scored to give Brest a 4-2 lead in the second half.

Rennes thought it had salvaged a point with goals from Arthur Theate and Martin Terrier, until Brassier notched a historic goal.

Fourth-place Lille kept pace with Brest in the race for Champion League spots by rallying to beat relegation-threatened Metz 2-1.

Turkey midfielder Yusuf Yuzici scored the winner in the 44th minute by pouncing on a rebound to score with a first-time effort.

Metz striker Georges Mikautadze opened the scoring in the 23rd with a penalty after midfielder Nabil Bentaleb had handled the ball.

But Lille defender Ismaily started the comeback by roaming forward in the 31st to end up in the striker position and beat goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja.

The result left Metz in the relegation playoff spot. Dejected Metz supporters threw projectiles onto the field in stoppage time.

Fifth-place Nice beat Strasbourg 3-1 to stay four points behind Lille. Evann Guessand, Dante and Morgan Sanson scored for Nice.

Toulouse secured safety by rallying past Lorient 2-1 with goals from Thijs Dallinga and Ibrahim Cissoko. Lorient remained in the relegation zone, three points from safety.

Bottom side Clermont kept alive its hopes of safety by stunning Reims 4-1 with two goals from Muhammed Cham and a brace from Elbasan Rashani.

The 31st round ends later Sunday with Lyon vs. Monaco and Marseille vs. Lens.

On Saturday, PSG threw away a chance to clinch the title by drawing 3-3 with struggling Le Havre.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Associated Press)