Monaco beaten by Nice but secure Ligue 1 survival

Monaco guaranteed their Ligue 1 status for another year despite rounding off a dreadful season with a 2-0 defeat in Nice.

Leonardo Jardim’s men knew only an improbable mathematical twist could send them into a relegation play-off after last week’s win over fellow strugglers Amiens.

Jardim had urged his side to keep their fate in their own hands and they started well with Cesc Fabregas steering a 12th-minute header against the bar from Aleksandr Golovin’s corner.

Fabregas, Djibril Sidibe and Radamel Falcao all had further chances for the visitors before they fell behind in unfortunate fashion in the 36th minute.

Monaco’s woe increased in the 67th minute when Kamil Glick fouled Allan Saint-Maximin in the box and Le Bihan stepped up to increase the home side’s lead.

But despite later chances for Rony Lopes and Falcao, Jardim’s men were destined to finish a season they would rather forget on a low note.