Lille secured their progress towards the UEFA Champions League qualifying zone by defeating Nantes 1-0 at the Stade de Lille on Saturday night. The match was played at the Groupama Stadium, where Lille had previously lost to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this season.
The match started with both teams looking to get off to a good start and create chances. However, it was Lille who broke the deadlock first when Brazilian midfielder Renato Sanches crossed from the right wing to find the head of Moroccan striker Amine Gouiri, who headed home to give his team the lead in the 47th minute.
Nantes fought hard to try and equalize, but they were unable to do so as Lille held on to their lead until full time. This win puts Lille second in the table, just one point behind leaders PSG, while Nantes remain third in the table.
Bentaleb, a 25-year-old player from Morocco, scored the winning goal for Lille. He has been in excellent form for the club this season and has contributed significantly to their success. His goal is sure to boost morale among the squad and fans alike, as they look forward to the remaining fixtures.
This victory marks another step towards securing a place in Europe next season. Lille will now face fellow French side Montpellier on Tuesday in their final round of matches before the international break. A win against Montpellier would secure them a spot in Europe for next season, and could also see them qualify for the Europa Conference League.
Overall, this win is a huge achievement for Lille and their supporters. It shows that they have what it takes to compete at the top level of French football and could potentially go all the way to the UEFA Champions League next season.