Georgian player Georges Mikautadze fueled Metz's chances of staying in the game with a brace against Lens (2-1), leaving their European spot in the Ligue 1 up in the air as the league reaches its twenty-ninth matchday this weekend.

Metz, managed by Laszlo Boloni, emerged from the crisis they were in with three consecutive defeats with a victory at the Saint-Symphorien stadium, where they overturned the visitors' early lead that came before the quarter-hour mark.

Algerian goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja brought down Wesley Said inside the box. Florian Sotoca converted the penalty to put Franck Haise's side ahead.

The responsibility fell on Mikautadze, who turned the game around with two displays of quality and accuracy. The first came in the 34th minute when he received a pass from Arthur Atta with his back to goal, turned, found space, and fired a powerful shot to beat Brice Samba.

The second came in added time of the first half, just before the break, when Kevin N'Doram won the ball in the opponent's area and sent it to Mikautadze. The Georgian finished the move superbly, chipping the ball over the goalkeeper as he came out and finding the back of the net.

Metz held on until the end, defending their lead with effort to secure the victory, their seventh of the season. Second from bottom in the table, they are now level with Lorient, third from bottom in the relegation playoff, just two points behind Nantes, who are above the relegation zone.

Lens, however, extends their winless streak to four games, with three defeats and a draw. They occupy a European spot but could be caught by Reims if they win against Strasbourg and drop out of the top positions.