Monaco 2 - 0 Montpellier: Monaco secure Champions League spot

Monaco secured Champions League qualification thanks to a 2-0 victory over Montpellier at Stade Louis II.

The hosts needed three points to ensure that they would play in Europe's premier competition next term with Nice waiting in the wings for any slip-ups from Les Rouges et Blancs.

But Ivan Cavaleiro settled the nerves when he netted in the third minute, slotting home at the near post after good work by Nabil Dirar on the right wing.

Brazilian striker Vagner Love caused problems for the Montpellier defence all night and had a chance to double Monaco's lead when he did brilliantly to get on the wrong side of the defender to leave him one-on-one with Laurent Pionnier but was denied by the visiting goalkeeper.

He was involved in his side's second goal after 32 minutes when Montpellier captain Hilton brought down the former Corinthians forward in the box. Right-back Fabinho stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way as he continued his perfect record from penalty spot, converting for the sixth consecutive time.

The visitors nearly halved the deficit through two great efforts from Morgan Sanson and Casimir Ninga but Monaco controlled the match and could have easily gone further ahead with Cavaleiro, Dirar and Love missing glorious chances.

But the two-goal cushion was enough for the hosts to claim third place and play in the Champions League for the third successive season.