PSG edge Toulouse to maintain 20-point advantage atop French league

PARIS, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain triumphed 1-0 at Toulouse, while Lille mounted a spectacular comeback in a 3-2 road victory over Nantes in the 30th round of Ligue 1 on Sunday.

With both sides bagging full points, PSG still possess a 20-point advantage over second-placed Lille with one fewer match played.

20-year-old Kylian Mbappe once again played a fundamental part in PSG's win with his 27th league goal this season.

Mbappe had a shot denied by goalkeeper Baptiste Reynet in front of his attacking partner Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, only to see the latter fire over the crossbar in the 17th minute. PSG also had skipper Marquinhos' tap-in disallowed for offside in the first half.

the leaders also met stiff challenge shortly afterwards, but their goalkeeper Alphonse Areola made a quick response to block Christopher Jullien's header.

Mbappe stepped up to open the scoring with 16 minutes remaining, as he collected thilo Kehrer's cross and sent a half volley past Reynet.

Lille and Nantes saw their combined five goals arrive in a span of 15 minutes, and it took the visitors merely seven minutes for a three-goal comeback.

Following a goalless first half, Nantes went ahead in the 54th minute, when Valentin Eysseric converted a spot kick. Nantes took on Kalifa Coulibaly's header to make it 2-0 two minutes later.

However, their advantage soon vanished against goals from Rafael Leao, Nicolas Pepe and Jonathan Bamba.

three minutes after coming off the bench, Leao chested down skipper Adama Soumaoro's header and poked it home. Pepe played a key part minutes later, scoring his 18th league goal of the campaign through a penalty and dishing out Bamba's easy finish at the far post.

Nantes were rewarded a penalty with less than 10 minutes from time, but Eysseric sent his second spot kick of the match flying.

Lille remain four points clear of third-placed Lyon in their contention for automatic qualification into next season's Champions League group stage.

Caen shrugged off the rock bottom as Enzo Crivelli's first-half goal guided them to a 1-0 win away to the resurgent Monaco, who suffered the first defeat since Leonardo Jardim returned as the head coach. Caen climb to the 18th and playoff position.

Dijon, instead, were restrained at the last place after falling 1-0 at home to Nice.

Amiens and Bordeaux finished a goalless draw in the other match on Sunday.