Second-placed Stade Malherbe Caen failed to narrow the gap on runaway Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain after drawing 1-1 at AS Monaco on Wednesday.
Caen had to thank striker Ronny Rodelin for earning a point when he bundled the ball in for an 86th-minute equalizer.
The Normandy side remained 13 points behind PSG, who appear to be coasting to a fourth straight title, despite dropping rare points in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at Angers SCO.
Photo: AFP
A win would have moved Monaco to within one point of Caen and the Principality side looked well set when striker Guido Carrillo grabbed his first league goal of the season in the 56th minute, but Monaco remained in sixth place, level on points with seventh-placed AS Saint-Etienne, who lost 1-0 away to struggling Lille OSC.
Striker Yassine Benzia scored a spectacular winner for Lille.
Latching onto a long pass from Marvin Martin, he let the ball drop and hit an arching half-volley from the right of the penalty area into the opposite corner. The strike was somewhat similar to Marco van Basten’s stunning goal for the Netherlands against England at the 1988 European Championships.
It was also a much-needed win for Lille, who remained in the relegation zone — one point behind 17th-placed Girondins de Bordeaux.
“We’re relieved to win, especially given our situation,” said former Lyon forward Benzia, who was modest about his goal. “Marvin picked me out; I just readjusted my balance and managed to score.”
Bordeaux coach Willy Sagnol was vague when questioned over his future following his side’s 1-0 defeat at SC Bastia, which followed last weekend’s 4-1 home defeat to Caen.
“The club’s in a difficult position,” the former France and Bayern Munich fullback said. “It’s down to the directors to lead the way.”
Striker Florian Raspentino struck in the 88th minute, his first goal of the season, to move SC Bastia above Bordeaux and into 16th spot.
Toulouse remained in next-to-last place, despite securing a second straight win with a 3-0 victory at last-placed ESTAC Troyes.
Sixteen-year-old Alban Lafont — the youngest ever goalkeeper to play in the French first division — kept a second consecutive clean sheet, distinguishing himself with three smart saves and good composure.
Toulouse took the lead in the second minute when 18-year-old centerback Issa Diop headed home from a free-kick.
Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro doubled the lead early in the second half and Serbian striker Aleksandar Pesic managed to complete the win late on.
Also on Wednesday, Montpellier Herault lost 2-0 at home to Corsican side Gazelec Ajaccio and Stade de Reims won 2-1 at En Avant de Guingamp.
In that match, a huge blunder from goalkeeper Kossi Agassa helped Guingamp equalize on the stroke of halftime.
Midfielder Yannis Salibur tried his luck with a speculative free-kick from long range and Agassa easily gathered it, but stepped back over the goal-line while doing so.
Referee Johan Hamel immediately pointed to his watch, signifying that video technology had told him that the ball had crossed the line.
However, after Salibur was red-carded five minutes into the second half, former Liverpool striker David N’Gog got his second of the night for Reims.
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