Brest record big win to complete fine week

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Champions League surprise package Brest followed their latest famous European win in midweek by hammering Nantes 4-1 in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

First-half goals by Kamory Doumbia and captain Brendan Chardonnet set Brest on their way in Brittany, and Abdallah Sima added a late brace after Douglas Augusto had pulled a goal back for Nantes.

It was a much-needed victory for Brest, who had lost four of their previous five games in Ligue 1 but are up into mid-table, six points clear of the bottom three.

The Pirates qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history by finishing third in Ligue 1 last season.

A 1-0 home win over PSV Eindhoven in midweek was, remarkably, their fourth victory in six outings in Europe’s elite club competition — they are currently on course to qualify directly for the last 16.

Eric Roy’s team were back in their Stade Francis-Le Ble home for Sunday’s game, with the club forced to host Champions League matches over an hour away in Guingamp because their own stadium does not meet UEFA requirements.

Elsewhere on Sunday, bottom club Montpellier came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Nice, while Le Havre — also in the relegation zone — lost 3-0 at home to Strasbourg.

Jorge Sampaoli’s struggling Rennes defeated Angers 2-0.

Leaders Paris Saint-Germain play host to in-form Lyon in the late match, where a win for the capital club will allow them to end 2024 with a seven-point lead at the top of the table.