Lyon, Nice clinch Euro spots, Troyes relegated

PARIS (AFP) –

Lyon’s Argentinian forward Lisandro Lopez (R) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match Lyon (OL) vs Rennes (FC) on May 26, 2013 at the Gerland stadium in Lyon. Lyon secured their place in next season’s Champions League qualifying stages with a 2-0 victory over Rennes on the final day of the Ligue 1 season.

Lyon secured their place in next season’s Champions League qualifying stages with a 2-0 victory over Rennes on the final day of the Ligue 1 season on Sunday, while Nice pipped Lille to a Europa League spot after winning 2-0 away to Ajaccio.

Lisandro Lopez scored a first-half penalty for Lyon at Stade Gerland after Onyekachi Apam handled in the area, while Clement Grenier’s stunning free-kick on 69 minutes wrapped up the points for Remi Garde’s side as they clinched third place to punch their ticket into Europe’s top club competition.

Meanwhile, Nice striker Dario Cvitanich notched his 19th goal of the season five minutes after half-time with Eric Bautheac adding a second 13 minutes from the end as the Mediterranean club climbed above both Saint-Etienne and Lille to finish fourth and earn a place in next season’s Europa League.

Paris Saint-Germain’s British midfielder David Beckham looks on after the French L1 football match Lorient (FCL) vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on May 26, 2013 at the Moustoir stadium in Lorient, western France. PSG won 3-1.

A win at home to Saint-Etienne would have earned Lille a spot in the Europa League at the expense of Nice, and the hosts appeared on track to do just that as Salomon Kalou prodded home the game’s opening goal just before the break.

However, a 59th-minute equaliser from Romain Hamouma earned Saint-Etienne, who finished the game with 10-men following the dismissal of Josuha Guilavogui, a share of the spoils and denied Lille a European adventure next term as the clubs finished fifth and sixth respectively.

At the other end of the table, Troyes’ late charge to avoid relegation came up short as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Valenciennes.

Needing a victory and for Bastia to beat Sochaux, Benjamin Nivet gave Troyes genuine hopes of survival as he gave the visiting side a 12th-minute lead.

But a costly second-half own-goal from Florian Jarjat allowed the hosts to equalise before Gregory Pujol dealt a fatal blow with an 89th-minute winner for Valenciennes as Bastia and Sochaux finished goalless.

Champions Paris Saint-Germain ended the campaign on a high note with a 3-1 win at Lorient with David Beckham, who made the final appearance of his career last weekend, watching on from the sidelines.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores a goal during the French L1 football match Lorient vs Paris Saint-Germain on May 26, 2013 at the Moustoir stadium in Lorient, western France. PSG won 3-1.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted his league-leading 30th goal of the season on 51 minutes to put visiting PSG ahead at Stade du Moustoir before turning provider for Kevin Gameiro on 63 minutes.

Gameiro then doubled his tally three minutes later after he was picked out by Javier Pastore.

PSG goalkeeper Ronan Le Crom was sent off 10 minutes from time for bringing down Julien Quercia, with Arnaud Le Lan pulling one back for Lorient after beating Mamadou Sakho, who donned the gloves with the visitors out of ‘keepers, from the ensuing spot-kick.

Elsewhere, Marseille were held at home by Reims in a goalless stalemate, while a brace from Cheick Diabate earned Bordeaux a 2-1 win over Evian.

Wissam Ben Yedder struck twice to take his season’s tally to 15 as Toulouse beat Montpellier 2-0, while Nancy triumphed 2-1 at Brest in a pairing of relegated sides.