PARIS (AP) — Lille maintained its strong push for automatic Champions League qualification with a 4-0 win over Toulouse in Ligue 1 on Sunday.
Lille has moved up to third place, one point behind fourth-place Marseille, and the top three teams will directly participate in next season’s high-stakes Champions League, with the fourth-place team passing through the qualifying rounds.
Lille were leading 1-0 thanks to a goal from right-back Thomas Meunier, but American defender Mark McKenzie was sent off early in the second half for pulling forward Matias Fernandes-Pardo as he ran towards goal.
After the red card, Lille gained the upper hand with left-back Romain Perrault and Fernandes-Pardo scoring, and veteran striker Olivier Giroud adding a late penalty.
Later on Sunday, Lyon looked set to end a nine-game winless streak when they host Lorient. Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca turns into a teenager Brazil national team FW Endrick He was benched after criticizing his recent performance.
Created by 19 year old Endrik great start Joins Lyon on loan from real madrid But he disappeared.
In Sunday’s other game, Nice drew 1-1 at home to fellow strugglers Le Havre. Both teams remain just above the relegation zone. ___
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