New Delhi: Marseille and Monaco clinched their spots in next season’s UEFA Champions League, delivering crucial wins on the penultimate matchday. While Paris Saint-Germain, already crowned league champions, celebrated with a Goncalo Ramos hat-trick against Montpellier, it was Marseille and Monaco’s qualification drama that stole the show on Saturday night.
Marseille knew they needed a win and favourable results elsewhere to guarantee a top-three finish and they delivered. Le Havre are currently facing relegation-threatened Le Havre away from home. Roberto De Zerbi’s men took the lead through Amine Gouiri early in the second half. However, the game was paused for nearly 30 minutes due to crowd trouble as Marseille supporters were found in the home stands, adding tension to an already critical fixture.
After play resumed, Le Havre fought back as Issa Soumare capitalised on Josue Casimir’s assist to level the score, setting up a nervy finale. But with five minutes left on the clock, Mason Greenwood stepped up in style. The Manchester United loanee delivered a sensational curling strike from long range, his 19th league goal of the season, to restore Marseille’s lead. Gouiri added his second in stoppage time, ensuring a 3-1 victory and confirming their return to Europe’s elite competition.
For a team that didn’t participate in any European competition this season, it marks a massive turnaround under De Zerbi’s leadership. The coach, visibly emotional, joined his players and the travelling fans to celebrate the moment.
One round left, one #UCL spot to go. 🌟👀 pic.twitter.com/rUrnbQ1YT3
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 10, 2025
Monaco gets the job done against Lyon
Meanwhile, Monaco also sealed their place in the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Lyon at home. Takumi Minamino and Denis Zakaria secured all three points for the Principality side in the second half. They will finish among Ligue 1’s top three regardless of what happens on the final day.
The result was a blow for Lyon, who still have an outside shot at the fourth-place play-off spot but will now need results to swing their way in the final round. As Alexandre Lacazette put it, “There’s a lot of regret, anger, and disappointment… we’ve made mistakes all season, but also tonight.”
PSG cruise, relegation battle intensifies
With PSG’s domestic title already wrapped up, Luis Enrique opted to rest several key players against bottom-side Montpellier. Even with a rotated squad, the Paris giants cruised to a 4-1 win. Teenager Senny Mayulu scored his first goal for the club while Ramos bagged three, one from the penalty spot and another from the edge of the box.
At the bottom, Saint-Etienne kept their survival hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Reims. They remain in the relegation zone but are now just one point behind Le Havre. With one game left, the race to avoid the drop is still wide open. As Ligue 1 heads into its final matchday, there’s still plenty left to play for at both ends of the table.
Marseille and Monaco seal Champions League qualification with crucial wins while PSG, Saint-Etienne, and Lyon face drama in Ligue 1’s penultimate round. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
