Strasbourg’s fine form continues with victory at Angers
PARIS (AP) — Arkadiusz Milik scored a dramatic winner as Marseille beat Metz 2-1 in the French league on Sunday to take a four-point lead in second place, an automatic Champions League spot.
The imposing Polish striker came off the visitors’ bench to score four goals in two league games. He sent a ball high to the chest as he entered the penalty area, took a step back and then executed a perfect bicycle kick in the 82nd minute.
It was his 14th overall goal in 32 games this season, although he was often deployed as a substitute.
Marseille are 13 points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain and four ahead of third-placed Nice after 24 of 38 laps.
Striker Cedric Bakambu scored his second goal since arriving from Chinese side Beijing Guoan in last month’s transfer window, sliding from close range in the 26th to put Marseille ahead after Dimitri Payet’s corner.
Midfielder Habib Maiga equalized for 19th place Metz in the 52nd on a cross.
Earlier, Strasbourg’s fine form continued as Julien Stephan’s side won 1-0 at Angers to cement their grip on fourth place and the Europa League spot.
Veteran striker Kevin Gameiro scored in the 11th with his ninth goal of the campaign for Strasbourg.
The Alsatian side are four points clear of Rennes and Monaco, who drew 0-0 at home to lowly Lorient.
Monaco were exceptionally calm in attack and midfielder Jean Lucas had the better chance in the 58th minute, but Lorient goalkeeper Matthieu Dreyer saved well.
OTHER MATCHES
Last-placed Bordeaux’s defense have now conceded 61 goals in 24 games following a 3-2 loss at eighth-placed Lens. The North team led 3-0 in the first 30 minutes thanks to goals from striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, playmaker Gael Kakuta and midfielder Seko Fofana.
Honduran striker Alberth Elis withdrew one before the break and South Korean striker Hwang Ui-jo scored in the 52nd minute to give Bordeaux hope.
The relegation fighter Saint-Etienne won 2-1 at Clermont thanks to a late goal from defender Timothee Kolodziejczak to move up to 18th.
Uruguay striker Martin Satriano, on loan from Italian champions Inter Milan, scored twice in Brest’s 5-1 win over 16th-placed Troyes.
Moses Simon scored in the 16th as Nantes beat Reims 1-0.
PSG needed another late goal in a painstaking 1-0 win at home to Rennes on Friday, as top scorer Kylian Mbappe again made the difference.
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