Montpellier 3 : 1 Stade Reims - Barrios bags brace in Reims defeat

Lucas Barrios scored a brace to reignite Montpellier's push for Europe with a 3-1 win against Reims.

Montpellier suffered a 5-1 loss against Lyon last week, but bounced back in style, with Barrios getting it started after only three minutes.

He had made it 2-0 before Prince Oniangue pulled a goal back late on, and Montpellier had the final word through Morgan Sanson in time added on.

Montpellier wasted little time in taking control of the match, with Barrios beating Michael Tacalfred before firing beyond the reach of Kossi Agassa.

They continued to push, with Sanson sending in a dangerous free-kick before Agassa made a good save to deny Daniel Congre.

The first half ended with Agassa making another save to deny Sanson on the counter-attack.

Reims had barely been seen as an attacking force but they were better early in the second half, with Odair Fortes' shot blocked by Geofrrey Jourdren before the goalkeeper made a more difficult save to keep out Gaetan Charbonnier's header.

Oniangue almost capitalised on a mistake from defender Hilton, but Jourdren palmed the ball to safety.

Having withstood that pressure, Montpellier promptly doubled their lead in the 73rd minute as Agassa punched Sanson's shot clear but succeeded only in finding Barrios who tucked away the rebound.

Agassa kept Reims in it by saving from Paul Lasne soon after, and they threatened a nervy finish when Oniangue lashed home from Aissa Mandi's lay-off in the 86th minute.

However, the hosts wrapped up the win in stoppage time as Lasne led a swift counter-attack which culminated in a cool finish from Sanson.