Lille edge out already-relegated Lens to keep alive Europa League hope

Lille have beaten relegated Lens 3-1 at Stade Pierre-Mauroy to keep their feint hopes of Europa League qualification alive.

Rene Girard's side, who sit seven points off fifth and sixth with only three games left, fell behind when Pablo Chavarria opened the scoring for the visitors on 24 minutes.

However, the hosts drew level shortly before half time when Sofiane Boufal kept his cool from 12 yards to convert a 41st-minute penalty.

A fiery contest that spawned six yellow cards, Lille ultimately tipped the encounter in their favour in the final quarter when Djibril Sidibe fired them 2-1 ahead.

Liverpool loanee Divock Origi then capped the win, netting in the fifth minute of stoppage time to keep alive Lille's fading prospects of European football next term.