Jonathan David, the Canadian sensation, netted his 23rd goal of the season, paving the way for Lille’s commanding 3-1 victory over Marseille on Friday, securing their firm grip on a Champions League spot for next season.
David’s penalty broke the deadlock early in the second half, with Remy Cabella doubling Lille’s advantage in the 71st minute against his former club.
Although Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pulled one back for Marseille, substitute Gabriel Gudmundsson sealed the win for Lille late in the game.
The northern outfit, gearing up to face Aston Villa in their inaugural European quarter-final in the Europa Conference League next week, climbed to third place in Ligue 1 ahead of the weekend’s fixtures.
With just a point behind second-placed Brest and edging ahead of Monaco in fourth on goal difference, Lille is eyeing a top-three finish, with a six-point cushion over fifth-placed Nice.
Securing a top-three spot in Ligue 1 guarantees automatic qualification for the expanded Champions League next season, while the fourth-placed team enters the preliminary rounds.
Despite sitting seventh in the league, Marseille still holds a chance to clinch a European spot next season, contingent upon the outcome of the French Cup. However, they face a significant 10-point gap from the top four, with only six matches remaining.
Marseille’s recent woes continued with four consecutive defeats across all competitions, as they prepare to take on Benfica in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final in Portugal next week.
Before this, they had secured five consecutive victories since the appointment of Jean-Louis Gasset as their third coach this season.
Lille aimed to continue their impressive home record, having suffered only one defeat in their previous 37 matches at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, dating back to August 2022.
Nine minutes into the second half, David converted from the penalty spot after being fouled in the box by Samuel Gigot.
Sixteen of his goals have been in Ligue 1, with only Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain scoring more with 24.
Cabella scored with a beautiful curling shot to double the lead for Paulo Fonseca’s impressive side, before Aubameyang’s goal gave Marseille a glimpse of hope, taking advantage of Lille’s defensive lapse.
In the 84th minute, Gudmundsson sealed Lille’s victory with their third goal as they prepared for their upcoming trip to Villa Park next Thursday.
On Sunday, Brest will host struggling Metz, while Monaco will face Rennes and Nice will play against Reims.
Leaders PSG will play at home against bottom side Clermont on Saturday.
