Ryan blunder costs Lens in defeat to northern rivals Lille

PARIS (AP) — Lille profited from a goalkeeping blunder to beat northern rival Lens 1-0 at home and move level on points with fourth-placed Nice in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

Matias Fernandez-Pardo scored in the 19th minute, albeit with a lot of help from Australia goalie Mathew Ryan.

Ryan tried to dribble past Fernandez-Pardo after receiving a routine back pass and ended up getting tackled by him, leading to an open goal for the 20-year-old Belgian winger.

Ryan had earlier kept out a second-minute shot from Fernandez-Pardo after he went clean through.

Lille and Nice both have 47 points with Nice ahead on goal difference. Third-placed Marseille is only two points ahead of them in the race for a Champions League spot, with seven rounds remaining and the top four qualifying.