Bradley Barcola (C) of PSG in action during the Ligue 1 match between Nice and PSG at the Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, France, May 15, 2024. /CFP
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) brushed aside the absence of the departing Kylian Mbappe to beat Nice 2-1 in Ligue 1 on Wednesday and scupper their opponents' hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Mbappe, who will leave PSG when his contract expires at the end of the season, sat out the trip due to discomfort in his left hamstring, while Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi and Randal Kolo Muani were also missing.
Yoram Zague (#42) of PSG celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Nice during their Ligue 1 match at the Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, France, May 15, 2024. /CFP
Bradley Barcola put PSG ahead in the 18th minute before defender Yoram Zague celebrated his 18th birthday by scoring his first goal for the French champions in only his fourth senior appearance.
Mohamed-Ali Cho pulled a goal back for Nice just past the half-hour mark, but Melvin Bard was sent off with 15 minutes to play for a challenge on Barcola.
Mohamed-Ali Cho (L) of Nice celebrates with a teammate after scoring a goal against PSG during their Ligue 1 match at the Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, France, May 15, 2024. /CFP
The defeat left Nice four points behind Lille and Brest, who are battling for the third automatic Champions League qualifying spot going into the final round of matches this Sunday.
Nice are now guaranteed to finish fifth and will go into next season's Europa League group stage.
Goalkeeper David Soria of Getafe fails to block the goal from Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid during their La Liga match at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez stadium in Getafe, Spain, May 15, 2024. /CFP
In La Liga, Antoine Griezmann secured Champions League qualification for Atletico Madrid with a hat-trick in a 3-0 triumph at Getafe on Wednesday.
Diego Simeone's side ensured they will finish in the top four and therefore reach Europe's top competition for the 12th consecutive season.
Inspired by France international Griezmann, the Rojiblancos romped to victory in the Madrid suburbs at Getafe's Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
Atletico, fourth, trail Girona by two points and now lead fifth-place Athletic Bilbao by 11, as the Basque side fell to a 2-1 defeat at struggling Celta Vigo.
Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid points to the team's logo on his jersey after scoring a hat-trick against Getafe CF during their La Liga match in Getafe, Spain, May 15, 2024. /CFP
"It's been a lot of years getting into the Champions League, which is something to value, but with the team we have and the talent we have, and the coach we have, it's something we have to do," Griezmann told Movistar.
The 33-year-old forward had netted only twice in his previous 13 La Liga appearances, with concerns emerging over his form, but he put them to bed with his second treble of the campaign.
"Without my teammates I am nothing," continued Griezmann.
"My ankle was annoying me a lot (in recent weeks) ... working with the physios and pushing hard, the pain has gone, and I can enjoy myself."
(With input from agencies)