Lille beat struggling Metz, Brest win triller at Rennes

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, as both clubs continued their push towards Champions League football.

Brest reclaimed third place in the standings with 56 points, one more than fourth-placed Lille and two fewer than second-placed Monaco who have a game in hand and visit Olympique Lyonnais later 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.

𝐔𝐍𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐈𝐑𝐄 !!! 🔴⚪️

3 points précieux pour les Dogues, dans la course à l'Europe, grâce aux buts d'Ismaily et de Yazici 💪#FCMLOSC 1-2 | 90’

— LOSC (@losclive) April 28, 2024

LAST-GASP WIN

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 Lilian Brassier headed home from close range in injury time.