Lille boosts Champions League hopes with 2-1 win over Metz in French league

Lille boosted its chances of claiming a Champions League spot by rallying to beat relegation-threatened Metz 2-1 in the French league on Sunday.

Lille leapfrogged Brest into the third place, the last automatic Champions League spot.

Turkey midfielder Yusuf Yuzici scored the winner in the 44th minute by pouncing on a rebound to score with a first-time effort.

Metz striker Georges Mikautadze opened the scoring in the 23rd with a penalty after midfielder Nabil Bentaleb had handled the ball.

But Lille defender Ismaily started the comeback by roaming forward in the 31st to end up in the striker position and beat goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja.

The result left Metz in the relegation playoff spot.

Dejected Metz supporters threw projectiles onto the field in stoppage time.

The 31st round ends later Sunday with Strasbourg vs. Nice, Clermont vs. Reims, Lorient vs. Toulouse, Rennes vs. Brest, Lyon vs. Monaco and Marseille vs. Lens.

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