Brest qualifies for European competitions by beating Rennes 5-4 in Ligue 1

Metz. Brest made history by qualifying for European competition for the first time with a 5-4 victory over Rennes in the French league on Sunday.

In an exciting match for Brest, centre-back Lilian Brassier scored the winning goal in added time with a header from a free kick. Brest remains in third position, with one last automatic ticket to the Champions League, and secured a place among the best six, which means that at least it will have a place in the playoffs from Conference League.

At the top, defending champion Paris Saint-Germain can clinch the championship if second place Monaco loses points this Sunday against Lyon.

Rennes went ahead 2-0 with a pair of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo in the first 10 minutes. But Brest fought back to tie before Martin Satriano and Mahdi Camara scored to give Brest a 4-2 lead in the second half.

Rennes thought they would save a point with goals from Arthur Theate and Martin Terrier, until Brassier scored the historic goal.

Fourth-place Lille kept pace with Brest in the race for Champions League places by coming from behind to beat relegation-threatened Metz in the French league on Sunday.

Turkish midfielder Yusuf Yuzici scored the winning goal in the 44th minute by taking advantage of a rebound.

Metz striker Georges Mikautadze opened the scoring after 23 minutes with a penalty after Nabil Bentaleb committed a handball inside the area.

But Ismaily, Lille’s defender, began the comeback in the 31st minute by joining the attack and beating goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja.

The result leaves Metz in the relegation zone. Their despondent fans threw projectiles onto the pitch during added time.

Nice defeated Strasbourg 3-1 to stay fifth, four points behind Lille, Evann Guessand, Dante and Morgan Sanson scored for Nice.

Tolosa secured salvation by beating Lorient 2-1 with goals from Thijs Dallinga and Ibrahim Cissoko. Lorient remained in the relegation zone, three points from safety.

Bottom club Clermont kept their hopes of salvation alive by defeating Reims 4-1 with two goals from Muhammed Cham and a double from Elbasan Rashani.

Matchday 31 ends later on Sunday with Lyon vs. Monaco and Marseille vs. Lens.

On Saturday, league leader Paris Saint-Germain squandered a chance to clinch the title by drawing 3-3 with Le Havre.