Nice in the Champions League, Saint-Etienne relegated, Le Havre’s last-day miracle

The Conclusion of the 2024-2025 Ligue 1 Season

The thrilling chapter of the **2024-2025 Ligue 1** season has finally reached its end. On May 17, after the 34^th matchday, excitement filled the Parc des Princes as fans witnessed the climax of a season characterized by surprises and fierce competition. **Paris Saint-Germain** (PSG) emerged as the champions for the thirteenth time, a feat that further solidifies their dominance in French football. Alongside PSG, **Marseille**, **Monaco**, and **Nice** secured places in the **Champions League**, while the relegation battles concluded with significant outcomes for several clubs.

PSG’s Unstoppable Triumph

PSG had long been assured of their championship title, clinching it six days before the end of the season. The true highlight of the match against **Auxerre**, which ended in a 3-1 victory, was the unveiling of a new trophy design that the club raised triumphantly. The **Professional Football League** has introduced this updated representation of success, marking another historical moment for PSG. With their star-studded lineup, PSG demonstrated exceptional consistency throughout the season, showcasing their ambition to conquer not just the domestic league but also Europe.

Champions League Contenders

Following PSG’s commanding performance, **Marseille** and **Monaco** confirmed their spots in next season’s Champions League. Marseille secured a solid second place by triumphing over **Rennes** with a scoreline of 4-2. As the season concluded, a standout performer was **Mason Greenwood**, whose double provided him a tie at the top of the **Ligue 1 scoring charts** with **Ousmane Dembélé**. Meanwhile, Monaco succumbed to a **4-0 defeat** against Lens, resulting in a mixed conclusion for the club during the season.

European Qualifications and European Miscalculations

**Nice’s** emphatic **6-0** victory over **Brest** was enough to secure a fourth-place finish, allowing them to enter the preliminary rounds of the **Champions League**. On the other hand, **Lille** and **Lyon** secured their places in the **Europa League** with consistent performances, ensuring they remain competitive on the European stage. Lille managed to edge out Reims with a **2-1** victory, while Lyon, despite facing some challenges, came away with a 2-0 win over **Angers**.

Relegation Battles

The battle against relegation was fierce this season. **Montpellier** and **Saint-Etienne** will be stepping down to **Ligue 2** after disappointing campaigns. Montpellier had faced difficulties throughout the season and came into the final matchday fully aware of their fate. Saint-Etienne, after a hard-fought match, lost 3-2 to Toulouse, sealing their relegation. On the positive side, **Nantes** comfortably secured their safety with a resounding **3-0** win against Montpellier.

Emotional Goodbyes

The final matchday also served as an emotional farewell for several players. **Alexandre Lacazette**, an emblematic figure for Lyon, scored a notable double that brought his career total to over 200 goals in Lyon colors, receiving heartfelt applause as he left the pitch. Moreover, at **Stade Vélodrome**, the audience paid tribute to **Steve Mandanda**, a former club star and goalkeeper for Rennes, who bowed out in memorable fashion, leaving the league with an honorable send-off.

Ligue 1 Final Standings

• The final ranking of Ligue 1

1. Paris Saint-Germain (84 points, champion)
2. Marseille (65, Champions League)
3. Monaco (61, Champions League)
4. Nice (60, Preliminary Tour Champions League)
5. Lille (60, Europa League)
6. Lyon (57, Europa League)
7. Strasbourg (57)
8. Lens (52)
9. Brest (50)
10. Toulouse (42)
11. Auxerre (42)
12. Rennes (41)
13. Nantes (36)
14. Angers (36)
15. Le Havre (34)
16. Reims (33, barragist)
17. Saint-Etienne (30, relegated)
18. Montpellier (16, relegated)