Paris Saint-Germain Defeat Nice 2-1, Thwarting Their Champions League Bid

Despite Kylian Mbappe's absence, Paris Saint-Germain defeated Nice 2-1 in Ligue 1 on Wednesday to eliminate their rivals' chances of making it to the Champions League. Along with Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, and Randal Kolo Muani, Mbappe missed the trip because of soreness in his left hamstring.

Mbappe will depart PSG at the conclusion of the season. After defender Yoram Zague celebrated his 18th birthday by scoring his first goal for the French champions in just his fourth professional appearance, PSG took the lead in the 18th minute thanks to a goal from Bradley Barcola.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Melvin Bard was sent off for a tackle on Barcola, but Mohamed-Ali Cho gave Nice a late goal.

Nice's loss moved them four points behind Lille and Brest, who are vying for the third automatic Champions League qualification berth ahead of this Sunday's final round of games.

Nice will enter the Europa League group stage for the next season with a guaranteed fifth-place result.

Marseille's 1-0 loss to managerless Reims puts them at risk of losing out on all of Europe.

Due to Chancel Mbemba's own goal in the first half, Marseille was eliminated from the competition and now behind Lens and Lyon by three points in the Europa Conference League standings.