Lorient relegated from Ligue 1 (2 Viewers)

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Lorient got automatic relegation from Ligue 1 in the most heartbreaking way, while Metz narrowly avoided the drop on the final day. Starting the day second from bottom, Lorient was three points behind Metz with a significantly worse goal difference (-28 compared to Metz’s -21). Although Lorient had scored more goals, head-to-head results are the tiebreaker in Ligue 1.

Both teams had one win against each other this season, with three goals each. The deciding factor was head-to-head goals scored away from home, where Metz edged Lorient with three goals to two.

To avoid relegation, Lorient needed to beat already-relegated Clermont, hope for a Metz loss to PSG, and achieve an eight-goal swing in their favor to move into the relegation/promotion playoff spot. Lorient did their part by thrashing Clermont 5-0 at home, while Metz lost 2-0 to champions PSG.

These results left both teams with 29 points and a -23 goal difference. Despite Lorient's higher goal total, the head-to-head away goals tiebreaker doomed them to relegation.

Metz, however, still face uncertainty. They will compete against the winner of the Ligue 2 playoff final to determine their place in Ligue 1 for the 2024-25 season.