Ligue 1: Openda's Strike Pushes Lens Past Toulouse Into Champions League

RC Lens took a significant step towards securing a spot in the next season's Champions League after a 1-0 away win against Toulouse in Ligue 1.

The only goal of the match was scored by Lois Openda, who headed in a Massadio Haidara cross just after the half-hour mark.

The victory moved Lens to third place in the table, eight points clear of fourth-placed Monaco with only five games remaining. Lens has not appeared in the Champions League since the 2002/03 season and is one point behind second-placed Marseille before their upcoming clash on Saturday.

Lens is also six points behind Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain. The top three teams in the French league qualify for the Champions League, with the top two receiving direct tickets for the group stage and the third-placed team entering the third qualifying round.

Toulouse, who were playing their first game since winning the French Cup on the weekend, were unable to match Lens' performance, ending the match with a 1-0 defeat.

Toulouse is currently in 13th place in the Ligue 1 table after being promoted last year, and their win over Nantes in the French Cup final was their first major trophy since the club was founded in 1970.