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Ligue 1: Depay fires Lyon into Champions League as Troyes go down

SoccerNews in Ligue 1 19 May 2018

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Memphis Depay’s hat-trick secured Champions League football next season for Lyon with a thrilling 3-2 Ligue 1 victory over Nice.

That result and Monaco’s 3-0 win at Troyes – a defeat that relegated their hosts – means beaten Europa League finalists Marseille will tackle that competition again next season.

Rudi Garcia’s side were on course to pip Lyon to third spot as Morgan Sanson and Kostas Mitroglou scored inside the first 20 minutes to set up a 2-1 win at Amiens, while Lyon were behind to an Alassane Plea goal at half-time.

But Depay turned the game on its head after the break, netting a 48th-minute equaliser from close range before drilling a free-kick through the wall.

The Netherlands international completed his treble and 19-goal haul this season with a sumptuous chipped finish and, although Plea added his second, Lyon held on and denied Nice a spot in the Europa League. Rennes and Bordeaux – 4-0 winners at Metz – will join Marseille.

Monaco only needed a point to be absolutely sure of a Champions League spot but a brace from Rony Lopes and Jordi Mboula’s stoppage-time goal ensured they finished the season in style and condemned Troyes to Ligue 2.

Toulouse will contest the relegation play-off against Ajaccio or Le Havre despite goals from Max Gradel and Yaya Sanogo seeing off Guingamp 2-1.

Caen held champions Paris Saint-Germain to a 0-0 draw to ensure survival and Patrice Garande’s side even edged up to a 16th-place finish due to Lille taking a 5-0 hammering at Saint-Etienne.

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