Montpellier Win Ligue 1 Title With Comeback Victory Over Auxerre

Montpellier were expected to be a mid-table side coming into the Ligue 1 season, but they’ve managed to outlast Paris Saint-Germain and Lille to win the Ligue 1 title. Even without star player Younes Belhanda, out due to suspension, they were able to hold off PSG and win the title by three points.

They didn’t do it without incident, as there was plenty of drama on the final day of the Ligue 1 season. PSG went down early to Lorient, a team who were fighting a relegation battle. They came from behind and found goals through Javier Pastore and Thiago Motta, eventually winning 2-1 before Montpellier’s game concluded.

That game was delayed twice due to antics from the Auxerre ultras. They threw toilet paper and tennis balls onto the pitch at the start of the second half, then almost hit Montpellier goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren with a flare in the 70th minute. Both disruptions caused long delays, and the other nine matches in Ligue 1 were finished before Auxerre and Montpellier resumed play following the second delay.

Montpellier’s potential title credentials were in question for the majority of the match. They went down in the 21st minute on a brilliant header by Auxerre defender Oliver Kapo, directed in on a corner kick. John Utaka equalized 12 minutes later, touching in a cross by Souleymane Kamara to make it 1-1.

Auxerre created multiple chances while the match was tied and PSG led their match, but Utaka eventually rescued his team with a great second goal. After a corner, he did an excellent job to turn his marker at the top of the penalty area, then place a low shot into the back of the net at the near post from 12 yards, helping Montpellier to a 2-1 win and their first ever Ligue 1 title.

In France’s race at the bottom of the table, Caen and Dijon joined Auxerre in the bottom three and will play in Ligue 2 next season. In the Europa League race, Bordeaux defeated Saint-Etienne to hold on to fifth place and a European spot. They’ll join Lyon and Marseille in the Europa League next season. PSG qualified for Champions League, while Lille qualified for the Champions League playoffs.