Lille tops Toulouse to close in on Champions League spot

Lille claimed a crucial victory at the Stade Lille-Metropole on Sunday, defeating Toulouse 2-1 to inch closer to securing a coveted Champions League qualification spot.

Rudi Garcia's men now have a six-point cushion in third place of Ligue 1 as Sunday's win helped them pull further away from fourth-place Toulouse.

Lille's hottest property, Eden Hazard, got the home side off the mark when he earned, and converted, a penalty kick in the 13th minute.

Hazard then helped Lille double the lead by setting up Dimitri Payet in the 32nd minute.

Serge Aurier cut Toulouse's deficit in half in the 59th minute to give the visitors a chance for a comeback, but that opportunity was quelled by the sending off of Pantxi Sirieix, who was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Nolan Roux eight minutes from time.

Lille has won three straight in Ligue 1 play to occupy third place on 56 points, while Toulouse sees its six-game unbeaten run come to an end as it remains fourth in the table on 50 points.

Rennes 1, Lyon 1

Rennes, France - Two goals on opposite sides of halftime saw Rennes and Lyon play to a 1-1 draw at the Stade de la Route de Lorient on Sunday.

Melvut Erdinc had put Rennes in front after just four minutes, but Lisandro Lopez struck 15 minutes from time to see Lyon come away with a point.

The result snaps a three-game winning run for Lyon but moves the club into fourth place on 50 points. Rennes remains seventh on 45 points.

Caen 0, Ajaccio 0

Caen, France - Caen's survival hopes took a hit on Sunday as it played to a 0-0 draw with Ajaccio at the Stade Michel d'Ornano.

Pierre-Alain Frau struck the crossbar with a penalty kick late on, costing Caen three vital points in its quest to remain in Ligue 1.

Caen has not won in league play since Feb. 22 and sits third from bottom on 30 points. Ajaccio has only fared two points better as it sits 15th in the table on 32 points.