Lille survive scare in Prague; Punch league phase ticket

LOSC Lille have punched their ticket to the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, as their 3-2 aggregate result over SK Slavia Prague see them advance. Despite losing Wednesday's contest 2-1 to the home side, Bruno Génésio and his team are all smiles.

Heading into the second leg of this Champions League playoff, Lille had a 2-0 aggregate lead after a stellar first leg performance in France. Now, with the matchup shifting to Czechia, it was all hands on deck for Les Dogues because this away match tested their willingness to overcome adversity.

Slavia Prague scored in the fifth minute thanks to a goal from Christos Zafeiris as it wasn't the start the Ligue 1 side hoped for. The home side also generated six total shots in the first 45 minutes, so Slavia Prague played with a sense of urgency, understanding they needed to overcome a 2-0 deficit.

Lille generated four shots in the first half but couldn't find the back of the net to restore their two-goal aggregate advantage. Slavia Prague went into halftime holding a 1-0 lead in the match but trailing 2-1 on aggregate.

The contest had late drama, with the French side scoring in the 77th minute to level the scoring 1-1 in the match and gaining a 3-1 lead on aggregate thanks to a goal from Edon Zhegrova.

Despite facing a two-goal aggregate deficit again, Slavia Prague didn't give up on the contest. They scored in the 84th courtesy of a goal from Ivan Schranz to take a 2-1 lead in the game and make the aggregate score 3-2.

Slavia Prague generated 11 total shots in the second half, but their efforts would see them fall short as they couldn't find the third goal to level the scoring on aggregate.

Lille survived a massive scare on the road, but they overcame the adversity to advance. The 2024-25 edition of the Champions League will feature four Ligue 1 clubs as LOSC join Stade Brestois, AS Monaco, and Paris Saint-Germain.

Photo credit: MICHAL CIZEK/AFP via Getty Images

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