Lyons secures automatic qualification for Champions League

PARIS (AP) - Lyon all but secured the second automatic spot for the Champions League after thrashing Monaco 6-1 in the French league on Saturday.

With one match left before the end of the campaign, Lyon opened a three-point gap over third-place Monaco in the standings. Lyon's goal difference was also superior to Monaco's by 22.

The French league runner-up qualifies automatically for the Champions League, with the third-place team entering the playoffs.

Alexandre Lacazette produced a hat trick and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa scored twice for Lyon after midfielder Rachid Ghezzal opened the scoring in the third minute.

Already crowned champion, Paris Saint-Germain won at Ajaccio 4-0 after Edinson Cavani scored a hat trick. PSG, which has two league matches left, set a new league points record of 92.