Monaco beats Lens 2-0 to clinch Ligue 1 runner-up spot and direct Champions League qualification.

Title: Monaco Wins 2-0 Over Lens, Directs Champions League Qualification

Monaco FC have taken another big step towards securing their place in the top flight of French football by beating Lens in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off round.

The game was played at the Stade de Reims on Saturday evening, with both teams coming into the match as favourites. However, Monaco proved too strong for Lens, who were unable to maintain control of the game despite having a number of chances throughout the second half.

In the end, it was Monaco who emerged victorious, thanks to a brace from their captain, Thomas Meunier. The win means that Monaco will now be able to clinch their Ligue 1 runners-up spot, which is crucial for reaching the knockout rounds of the Champions League.

The victory over Lens has also put Monaco on course to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, where they will face Manchester City in the first leg of their semi-final tie on May 18th. With just one league game left before the final date, there's no time for them to lose any points.

For Lens, the defeat leaves them without any hope of making it out of the group stages. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to keep up with Monaco's pace and were forced to settle for a draw.

The result also marks a significant boost for Monaco's manager, Guus Hiddink, who had been under pressure following the team's disappointing performance against Paris Saint-Germain last weekend. With this win, he can now take comfort knowing that his team are well-positioned to reach the knockout rounds of the competition next season.

Overall, the win over Lens is a huge achievement for Monaco FC, but it comes at a cost. With only one remaining game left, they must use every resource available to secure their spot in the Champions League, and prepare themselves for what awaits them once they reach the final.