Lille's scorer Jonathan David celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League group G soccer match between OSC Lille and RB Salzburg at the Stade Pierre Mauroy - Villeneuve d'Ascq in Lille, France, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)
The Associated Press
LILLE, France (AP) - In-form Canada striker Jonathan David scored his 12th goal of the season as Lille beat Salzburg 1-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday to claim the top spot in their group.
With one round of matches remaining, Lille has a one-point lead over the Austrian side in the tight Group G, where all four teams can still progress. Third-place Sevilla lags two points behind the French champion after beating Wolfsburg 2-0.
David, the French league's top scorer, netted a double at the weekend and carried his good form onto the European stage to give Lille a first home win in the Champions League in 15 years.
The French champions took the lead in the 31st minute after Burak Yilmaz cut inside the box through the defense and sparked havoc in the area. The ball ricocheted into David's path and the forward put it onto his left foot, then slotted it home.
'œIt's my job to score, but the most important thing is to win,'ť David said. 'œMy form is good, because I'm scoring quite often, but it's my teammates who put me in the position to be able to score.'ť
Lille got off a strong start with Yılmaz, Timothy Weah and Jonathan Bamba combining well to create a number of opportunities in the opening stages.
Salzburg's defenders were able to close down attacks while its offensive trio of Karim Adeyemi, Benjamin Sesko and Brenden Aaronson played with intensity and pace. But both sides looked toothless in the final third in the first half-hour.
Lille had a first real chance when Bamba picked out the unmarked Yilmaz in the box, only for the striker to lose his footing on the greasy pitch and fluff his volley. David broke the deadlock minutes later.
Knowing that they would advance with a win, Salzburg pushed hard after the interval but could not break the Lille defense as Jose Fonte marshalled the backline with authority.
Following a long spell of Salzburg dominance, substitute Amadou Onana brought a new spark in midfield and Lille was dangerous again as Bamba missed from close range and Renato Sanches sent his attempt over in the 74th.
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Referee Anthony Taylor shows the yellow card to Salzburg's Rasmus Kristensen during the Champions League group G soccer match between OSC Lille and RB Salzburg at the Stade Pierre Mauroy - Villeneuve d'Ascq in Lille, France, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)
The Associated Press
Lille's Zeki Celik, left, and Salzburg's Nicolas Seiwald challenge for the ball during the Champions League group G soccer match between OSC Lille and RB Salzburg at the Stade Pierre Mauroy - Villeneuve d'Ascq in Lille, France, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)
The Associated Press
Salzburg's Karim Adeyemi challenges for the ball in front of Lille's goal during the Champions League group G soccer match between OSC Lille and RB Salzburg at the Stade Pierre Mauroy - Villeneuve d'Ascq in Lille, France, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)
The Associated Press
Salzburg's Karim Adeyemi, left, demands the ball from Lille's Tiago Djalo during the Champions League group G soccer match between OSC Lille and RB Salzburg at the Stade Pierre Mauroy - Villeneuve d'Ascq in Lille, France, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)
The Associated Press
Salzburg's Antoine Bernede, left, heads the ball during the Champions League group G soccer match between OSC Lille and RB Salzburg at the Stade Pierre Mauroy - Villeneuve d'Ascq in Lille, France, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)
The Associated Press
Salzburg's Karim Adeyemi, left, and Lille's Amadou Onana challenge for the ball during the Champions League group G soccer match between OSC Lille and RB Salzburg at the Stade Pierre Mauroy - Villeneuve d'Ascq in Lille, France, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)
The Associated Press
Lille's goalkeeper Ivo Grbic shows thumbs up during the Champions League group G soccer match between OSC Lille and RB Salzburg at the Stade Pierre Mauroy - Villeneuve d'Ascq in Lille, France, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)
The Associated Press
Salzburg's Karim Adeyemi, left, and Lille's Reinildo Mandava challenge for the ball during the Champions League group G soccer match between OSC Lille and RB Salzburg at the Stade Pierre Mauroy - Villeneuve d'Ascq in Lille, France, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)
The Associated Press