When Lille lost its opening Champions League match in September, only a few bold gamblers would have bet on the Ligue 1 side to qualify for the last 16 of European club soccer's elite tournament.

Monaco’s floundering season has taken another turn for the worse after losing 2-1 at rock-bottom Montpellier in Ligue 1 and conceding third place to Lille PARIS -- Monaco's floundering season took another turn for the worse as it lost at rock-bottom ...

Maghnes Akliouche has scored a spectacular goal and set up an easy one as Monaco beat Rennes 3-2 to move up to third place in Ligue 1

Three out of the four Ligue 1 clubs involved in the Champions League have secured their spot for the latter stages of the competition. Lille, Brest and Monaco

Lille gatecrashed the top eight of the Champions League standings and booked an unexpected place in the last 16 when they hammered hapless Feyenoord 6-1 at home on Wednesday on the last night of the group competition.

Monaco's challenging Ligue 1 season deteriorated further with a 2-1 defeat against last-placed Montpellier, surrendering third place to Lille. Despite early advantage, Monaco's defense faltered in the second half.

Ben Seghir has already expressed his desire to stay with Monaco until at least the end of the current campaign but the flashy 19-year-old will not be short of suitors in the summer. Monaco are said to value the youngster at €30m [£25m], with Barcelona and Napoli two of the clubs interested.

LONDON — Here's the state of play after the conclusion of the first stage of the Champions League: Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, Aston Villa

Follow 5 Live commentary and live text as Monaco host Aston Villa and Liverpool face Lille in the Champions League.

1' – Atalanta 0-0 Sturm Graz 1' – Monaco 0-0 Aston Villa Lille have not had the same fortune with injuries at Liverpool recently. In defence, highly-rated 22-year-old Tiago Santos is ...

Liverpool became the first team to guarantee a place in the last 16 of the new Champions League format by beating Lille 2-1 on Tuesday, while Barcelona fought back from two goals down to stun Benfica 5-4 in a thriller.

Lille, Brest and Monaco are now mathematically certain to, at least, qualify for the playoffs rounds, which will take place in February. The fourth French team, serial Ligue 1 champions PSG ...