With a solitary goal from Florian Sotoca, Lens edged past Clermont 1-0 on Saturday, holding off pressure from Stade Rennais, who threatened their sixth place in the French Ligue 1 after a 3-0 away win against Nantes.

After four consecutive setbacks (three losses and a draw), Lens regained victory in a tightly contested match against Clermont, who are at the bottom of Ligue 1 and also needed the three points to keep their survival hopes alive.

A penalty converted by Sotoca in the first half proved enough for Lens, breaking their poor streak at just the right moment to maintain their six-point lead over Stade Rennais, the only team with aspirations to snatch the last European spot.

Meanwhile, with their defeat, Clermont could end the matchday seven points adrift from safety if Lorient and Metz win their matches against Paris Saint-Germain and Le Havre, respectively.