Cash-strapped Lyon edged clear of a clutch of clubs vying for Ligue 1’s last Champions League spot with a 4-2 win over Rennes on Sunday, capped by a goal from Endrick.
The victory lifted Lyon clear third in the race for that precious third Champions League place behind Paris Saint-Germain and Lens.
Brazilian teenager Endrick has shone for Lyon and has found his way into Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup plans since signing on loan from Real Madrid.
Defending champions PSG have 70 points and Lens 64, with three games each remaining. Lyon have 60 and Lille are two points behind with Rennes another two behind them, but all those teams only have two games remaining.
In Lyon on Sunday, Rennes took an early lead through Musa Al-Tamari before Lyon powered to a 2-1 half-time lead through Roman Yaremchuk and a Corentin Tolisso penalty.
Rennes levelled right after the break through Esteban Lepaul, before Lyon again powered ahead again through Afonso Moreira, and Endrick’s classy finish made it 4-2 on the night.
Close to bankruptcy ten months ago, seven-time French champions Lyon sold off their stars to avoid relegation on appeal.
Strasbourg, whose minds were on a Conference League semi-final second leg against Rayo Vallecano next Thursday, fielded a second-string side and lost 2-1 at home to Toulouse.
The defeat leaves them in eighth and banking on overturning a 1-0 Rayo lead to make the final of Europe’s third cup competition.
For Toulouse, it was a first win in five as both sides head for a mid-table finish.
Chasing Champions League qualification, Lille were frustrated at home with a 1-1 draw with Le Havre that left the door open for Lyon to sneak past them on points.
Paris FC thumped Brest 4-0 while Auxerre gave their fight against relegation a boost with a 3-1 home win over Angers.
AFP
