Marseille have secured their place in the Europa League next season after defeating Nice by just one point in Ligue 1 round 31. The victory was a major boost for the club as they look to secure a top-four finish and a spot in the Champions League.

The match between the two teams was a closely contested affair with both sides showing great defensive prowess. However, it was Marseille who emerged victorious, thanks to a late goal from Dimitri Payet. The French international had been in excellent form this season, scoring six goals in his last eight games.

The win means that Marseille now has 67 points from 31 matches, leaving them just one point behind Lyon for second place. If Marseille can maintain their current form over the remaining fixtures, they will be well on their way to securing a top-four finish and a spot in the Champions League.

For Nice, the defeat was a blow as they were hoping to secure a place in Europe's elite competition. Despite their efforts, they could only manage a draw against Marseille, which leaves them in eighth place in the table.

The result also puts pressure on the rest of the league, as all four teams still have a chance to qualify for Europe's premier club competition. It is expected that there will be some exciting football over the final few weeks of the season as teams fight for their place in Europe's biggest stage.

Overall, the victory over Nice is a huge boost for Marseille, but it also sets up a tough challenge for the rest of the league. With three more rounds of fixtures left, anything can happen, and it promises to be an exciting end to the season.