Monaco stun Lille 1-0, Nice held 1-1 by Toulouse in Ligue 1

PARIS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Carlos Vinicius' last-minute strike gifted Monaco a 1-0 win away to second-placed Lille, while Nice conceded a late goal to draw Toulouse 1-1 at home in the 29th round of Ligue 1 on Friday.

Vinicius collected a poor shot from Jean-Eudes Ahoulou, lifted the ball over Lille captain Jose Fonte before beating goalkeeper Mike Maignan in the dying moment. It was the Brazilian forward's first goal since joining the Principality club during the winter transfer window.

Lille were punished for squandering a series of chances, especially in the first 45 minutes. Jonathan Bamba hit the crossbar 11 minutes after the kick-off. An unmarked Thiago Mendes could have done much better on Nicolas Pepe's cutback in the 24th minute. Bamba wasted another opportunity before the interval.

Monaco began to recover in their attack after the restart. Aleksandr Golovin tested Maignan early in the second half, before Rony Lopes saw his goal ruled for a foul in the 69th minute.

Then Vinicius called it a win for Monaco, who remain unbeaten in seven league matches after Leonardo Jardim's return as head coach. They have jumped to the 16th place with a nine-point margrin over the playoff spot.

Lille trail leaders Paris Saint-Germain by 17 points with two more games played. PSG will embrace the Classique against Marseille at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.

Nice midfielder Wylan Cyprien displayed his free-kick ability by smashing a shot home in the 20th minute, with another hitting the crossbar four minutes later.

However, Nice were denied full points by the vistiors, as Firmin Mubele found an equalizer in the 89th minute, just two minutes after coming off the bench.

Nice, in contention for a berth in next season's European competition, currently sit eighth. Toulouse are placed 14th.

Third-ranked Lyon, seven points adrift Lille, will take on Montpellier on Sunday. Enditem