The late penalty from Chuba Akpom was not enough to secure Lille in the top four of Ligue 1, despite a 2-1 win over Reims, which avoided in the relegation play-off place through the skin of their teeth thanks to the results elsewhere.
The outcome of this match had huge implications for both teams, because the hosts sought a UEFA Champions League place, while their opponents knew that the defeat could dump them in the lower three.
It was not surprising, given their position in the table, it was Les Dogues that made the better start, although a quirky finish meant that they only hit the target in the opening for 30 minutes, when Thomas Meunier's effort was comfortably rescued.
Apart from that, Remy Cabella shot wide, while Matias Fernandez-Pardo was a series of players to block shots, try to score firmly from 30 meters after an error by goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf.
The side of Samba Diawara was more reserved and their only real chance was an easily stopped Amadou Koné's Daisy Cutter, before, seconds later, Hákon Haraldsson had coupled a bustling 22 -meter strike on the other side.
The men of Bruno Genesio started dominating at that time, and they rightly took the lead through a shameful Cabella finish shortly before half-time.
Main statistics of the matchopta by StatesPeachform
Meunier's bent strike went on to the 35-year-old, who played his last game for the club, and he spectacularly sent a overdue volley in the bottom corner from a tight corner.
Reims feared at that time for their TopFutus, but an equalizer quickly calmed visiting nerves.
The goal was even better than the opener, when the ball fell to Sergio Akieme in the area and he shot a thunderous volley home that rattled the bottom of the bar before he crossed the line.
Lille needed a reaction, almost supplied by Meunier's addicted strike that was well saved.
Les Rouges et Blancs were generally defensive, surprisingly enough for a team that had won one of their last 10 -way competition matches.
That resistance was tested as the longer procedure slid, in which the hosts threw more and more men forward to find a winner.
Alexsandro sent one header before a result Joseph Okumu shun in a penalty on Akpom, which converted the striker properly by sending Diouf in the wrong way.
As such, Les Dogues have secured fifth place in Ligue 1 and will play in the UEFA Europa League next season, which means that they have qualified for Europe in three consecutive seasons.
Reims saw John Patrick desperately in injury time, but they still finished 15th because of Le Havre's failure to beat Strasbourg.