Portugal Colonial - Monaco beat faltering Marseille to take second place in Ligue 1

Heading into the weekend, only five points separated Marseille in second from seventh-placed Lille in a tight battle to secure European football.

Monaco took a big step towards the Champions League by inflicting a fourth defeat in five Ligue 1 games on Roberto De Zerbi's Marseille, who are in danger of throwing away a place in the competition next season after sitting second in the French top flight for much of the campaign.

The teams who finish second and third behind champions Paris Saint-Germain will secure spots in the league phase, with the fourth-placed side heading into the qualifying rounds.

Monaco took the lead in the 34th minute at the Stade Louis II when Takumi Minamino swept home his fifth league goal of the season following some dreadful Marseille defending.

OM came close to an equaliser shortly before half-time, but Luis Henrique's effort was well saved by Monaco goalkeeper Philipp Kohn.

The hosts doubled their advantage shortly before the hour mark as Breel Embolo slipped the ball past Geronimo Rulli after an excellent pass through from Vanderson.

The goal was eventually awarded following a lengthy VAR review for offside.

Monaco added further gloss to the scoreline and bolstered their goal difference, which could prove crucial come the end of the season, through Denis Zakaria's late penalty.

Later on Saturday, Lille visit Toulouse before fourth-placed Strasbourg host sixth-placed Nice.

E.Ramalho--PC