Ligue 1 Roundup, Matchday 26
Here is a summary of the games that took place during Matchday 26 of the 2023/24 Ligue 1 season over the weekend, showcasing thrilling matches, surprising results, and standout player displays.
Toulouse 2-3 Lyon
Rayan Cherki played a key role in Lyon’s impressive comeback, helping them secure a thrilling victory against Toulouse and maintain an unbeaten record against them for a decade. Lyon’s win marked a significant achievement as it was their first time securing four consecutive away victories since December 2020. On the other hand, Toulouse’s loss in this match adds to their struggle to avoid relegation, with the team currently just four points above the relegation zone.
Nantes 1-3 Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg secured only their third win on the road in Ligue 1 this season by beating Nantes 3-1 at the Stade de la Beaujoire, with Emanuel Emegha scoring twice. Nantes, who have now lost six of their last six home games in Ligue 1, are currently in the relegation play-off position. On the other hand, RC Strasbourg Alsace managed to avoid falling into the bottom three for the first time this season, creating a four-point gap over Nantes.
Lens 1-3 OGC Nice
OGC Nice delivered a strong performance to defeat RC Lens 3-1 in Ligue 1, extending their unbeaten streak against Lens to eight out of their last nine meetings, with seven wins and one draw. This victory ended Nice’s six-game winless run in the league. Additionally, Nice handed RC Lens their first loss in three league matches, causing Franck Haise’s team to drop to sixth place.
Brest 1-1 Lille
Brest and Lille played a 1-1 draw in an exciting match at Stade Francis-Le Blé in Ligue 1. The hosts maintained their unbeaten record against the visitors at home, extending it to four games since their promotion to Ligue 1 in 2019. Despite the draw, Brest still holds a surprising position in the top three, thanks to Satriano’s goal, putting them on track for their first-ever UEFA Champions League qualification. Lille, on the other hand, remains undefeated in three away matches in the league, but their coach, Paulo Fonseca, will be disappointed by the missed opportunities.
Reims 2-1 Metz
Stade de Reims secured their first victory at Stade Auguste-Delaune in 2024 to strengthen their bid for a European spot by defeating Metz 2-1. This win halted Metz’s two-game winning streak and kept them in the relegation zone in Ligue 1. It was the first time Reims had beaten Metz in a Ligue 1 match since 1976 after 16 unsuccessful attempts.
Monaco 2-2 Lorient
Tiémoué Bakayoko scored a remarkable equalizer in the 95th minute as Lorient fought back to secure a 2-2 draw with Monaco in Ligue 1, preventing the hosts from reclaiming their spot in the top two. Lorient’s comeback was aided by Monaco midfielder Denis Zakaria’s red card in the 81st minute, but Lorient also had a player sent off, Aiyegun Tosin, in the final moments. Undeterred, Lorient continued to press and managed to score a late equalizer through Bakayoko’s diving header, extending Monaco’s winless streak at home to six matches.
Clermont 2-1 Le Havre
Muhammed Cham scored two goals in the first half to help Clermont secure a crucial 2-1 win at Stade Gabriel Montpied. This victory narrowed their gap to Ligue 1 safety to five points with only eight games left. The match against Le Havre was intense, featuring a penalty and two red cards. Le Havre maintained their streak of not winning consecutive games this season. Clermont now have 20 points, just six behind 15th-place Loreint, as they aim to secure a fourth consecutive season in the top-flight league.
Rennes 2-0 Marseille
Rennes secured a 2-0 victory over Marseille at Roazhon Park, enhancing their chances of finishing in the top six. This win marked their first Ligue 1 victory over Marseille since May 2022. The triumph brings Rennes within three points of qualifying for European competitions, which was a much-needed boost after a three-game winless streak. Marseille, on the other hand, remains three points away from the top six, with coach Gasset worrying about their poor performance on the road, having only earned 10 points away from home this season.
Montpellier 2-6 PSG
Kylian Mbappé scored three goals to help Paris Saint-Germain extend their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 12 points with a thrilling 6-2 victory over Montpellier at the Stade de la Mosson. With their 10th title in 12 seasons almost secured, PSG will now focus on the UEFA Champions League, where they are set to play against Barcelona in the quarter-finals. On the other hand, Montpellier have only won one of their last 11 home games and are currently just one point above the relegation play-off position.
