Lille secured a 2-1 Ligue 1 victory at relegation-threatened Metz, while their top-three rivals Brest came from two goals down to win 5-4 at Stade Rennais on Sunday, as both clubs continued their push towards Champions League football.
Brest reclaimed third place in the standings with 56 points, one more than fourth-placed Lille and two fewer than second-placed Monaco who have a game in hand and visit Olympique Lyonnais later on Sunday.
Rennes remain in seventh place. Metz are 16th on 29 points with three games left.
Metz striker Georges Mikautadze made no mistake from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute as he scored his 11th goal across all competitions this season after Lille were penalised for handball.
Eight minutes later, Lille left back Ismaily equalised with a shot into the bottom corner following an assist by Jonathan David and Yusuf Yazici put the visitors ahead just before halftime with a right-foot strike.
Lille, who dominated possession throughout, have won four of their last five Ligue 1 matches with the loss coming against top-three rivals AS Monaco.
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