Ligue 1 Roundup, Matchday 31
Here is an overview of the matches that occurred during Matchday 31 of the 2023/24 Ligue 1 season over the weekend, highlighting exciting games, unexpected outcomes, and notable player performances.
Montpellier 1-1 Nantes
In a match on the Mediterranean coast, Montpellier and Nantes ended in a 1-1 draw, pushing both teams further from the relegation zone. Although Montpellier’s unbeaten streak extended to five games, they are not completely safe yet according to Michel Der Zakarian. However, they are now eight points ahead of the relegation playoff spot, making it improbable for them to be overtaken. On the other hand, Nantes moved three points ahead of Le Havre in 15th place.
PSG 3-3 Le Havre
Paris Saint-Germain have won the Ligue 1 title for the 12th time, even though they managed to come back from a 3-1 deficit to secure a 3-3 draw at the Parc des Princes. Despite this, they continued their unbeaten league streak to 26 matches when they scored a late goal in stoppage time. AS Monaco losing to Lyon officially crowns PSG as champions and they can begin celebrating their victory.
Metz 1-2 Lille
Lille overcame a deficit to defeat Metz 2-1 at Stade Municipal Saint-Symphorien, continuing their unbeaten streak against Les Grenats to nine matches. This outcome places Les Grenats in 16th position, setting them up for a potential playoff against Ligue 2’s third-ranked team. Lille, on the other hand, sits in 4th place, a point behind Brest. The victory on the road is significant for Lille, as they had only accumulated 16 points away from home this season, the lowest among the top seven teams in the league.
Strasbourg 1-3 OGC Nice
Nice continued to stay in close pursuit of the top four teams in Ligue 1 by securing a 3-1 comeback win over Strasbourg, marking their first double victory over them since the 2007/08 season. Despite starting strongly, Strasbourg failed to sustain their offensive pressure, resulting in a second consecutive loss that leaves Vieira’s team seven points clear of the relegation zone with three games left. Nice is gaining momentum in their bid for European qualification, having won three of their last five matches, and they are determined to narrow the four-point gap with fourth-placed Lille.
Lorient 1-2 Toulouse
Toulouse secured their third consecutive away win in Ligue 1 by coming from behind to defeat Lorient 2-1 at the Stade du Moustoir. The hosts and visitors both made changes during the match, with Lorient pushing hard for a victory. However, it was Toulouse manager Carles Martínez Novell who made a decisive move, as substitute Ibrahim Cissoko scored shortly after entering the game to secure the win. This victory moved Toulouse up to 10th place, while Lorient’s fifth consecutive loss keeps them in 17th place, three points away from safety.
Clermont 4-1 Reims
Clermont Foot broke a streak of four games without a win by defeating Reims 4-1, bringing them within four points of securing their place in Ligue 1 with three games left. Rashani sealed the victory with a second goal in the final minutes, showcasing a strong second-half performance and securing a 4-1 win. This result marked the third consecutive loss for Will Still’s team.
Rennes 4-5 Brest
Brest secured a spot in European football next season by defeating Rennes in a thrilling match that ended a 10-game winless streak against Rennes spanning 37 years. Despite Rennes’ relentless pursuit of an equalizer, Brest ultimately broke their hearts with a late goal from Lilian Brassier, securing a historic victory and moving closer to UEFA Champions League qualification.
Lyon 3-2 Monaco
Olympique Lyon beat AS Monaco 3-2 in Ligue 1, causing Monaco to suffer their first defeat in nine games and raising doubts about their chances of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. This loss also secured the league title for Paris Saint-Germain. Despite Ben Yedder scoring a goal that was later ruled offside, Lyon managed to secure a late victory with Malick Fofana scoring the winning goal. The game was unpredictable throughout, with Lyon ultimately claiming their sixth consecutive league victory against Monaco at the Groupama Stadium.
Marseille 2-1 RC Lens
Marseille secured a 2-1 win against Lens at the Stade Vélodrome, breaking a streak of three consecutive losses in their head-to-head matchups. This victory propelled them to seventh place in the Ligue 1 standings, putting them within two points of Lens. Despite the triumph, Jean-Louis Gasset’s team still trails fifth-placed Nice by seven points. However, the win provided a much-needed confidence boost before their upcoming European clash with Atalanta on Thursday. Lens, on the other hand, have only managed to win one of their last six games, putting their own European aspirations at risk with just three matches left in the season.
