Joy for Lyon and Benfica

Monaco denied
Lyon lost 1-0 to Paris Saint-Germain FC on Saturday but AS Monaco's 4-1 defeat by Stade Rennais FC removed the final obstacle to the champions retaining their crown. PSG's goal difference means they are out of contention, and will now concentrate on keeping Monaco - a point behind in third - at bay in the race for direct UEFA Champions League qualification.

Auxerre qualify
Should Monaco defeat FC Porto in this season's final, however, they will advance to next season's group stage regardless of their final league position in Ligue 1. AJ Auxerre clinched a UEFA Cup place by beating FC Nantes Atlantique, while Montpellier Hérault SC were relegated after a 2-1 defeat by RC Strasbourg. FC Istres were promoted and will join Stade Malherbe Caen and AS Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1.

Benfica triumph
Porto's hopes of a second successive treble were dashed by Benfica at the Estádio Nacional. With Monaco coach Didier Deschamps in the stands, Benfica's Panagiotis Fyssas cancelled out Derlei's first-half goal for the champions. Then, after Porto's Jorge Costa has been dismissed, Simão Sabrosa struck an extra-time winner to secure Benfica's 24th Portuguese Cup and their first since 1996.

Arsenal landmark
In England, Arsenal beat relegated Leicester City FC 2-1 to become the first team to remain unbeaten in an English top-flight season since Preston North End FC in the inaugural 1888/89 campaign. Aston Villa FC's 2-0 home defeat by nine-man Manchester United FC allowed Newcastle United FC to seal a place in the UEFA Cup by drawing 1-1 at Liverpool FC.

Champions stunned
Germany coach Rudi Völler handed the Bundesliga trophy to SV Werder Bremen on Saturday, by which time they had been beaten 6-2 by Bayer 04 Leverkusen, who remain in the hunt for a Champions League spot. Leverkusen have 62 points with VfB Stuttgart on 64 after a 3-1 win against FC Bayern München, second on 65. DSC Arminia Bielefeld were promoted yesterday.

Madrid slump
FC Barcelona have stolen a march on Real Madrid CF in the battle for second place and automatic qualification to the Champions League group stage in Spain, climbing to second with a 1-0 win against Real Racing Club Santander. Madrid suffered a club record fourth successive Primera División defeat, losing 2-1 to bottom side Real Murcia CF. Athletic Club Bilbao beat CA Osasuna 2-1 to gain a UEFA Cup place.

Inter joy
The 2003/04 Italian season concluded yesterday, with FC Internazionale winning 3-2 at relegated Empoli FC to seal fourth place from Parma AC, who qualify for the UEFA Cup on the back of a 4-3 victory against Udinese Calcio. Modena FC were also demoted after losing 2-1 to S.S. Lazio, while AC Perugia enter the play-offs. Roberto Baggio retired after his Brescia Calcio side lost 4-2 at champions AC Milan.

Bursaspor relegated
Elsewhere, Bursaspor have been relegated for the first time since the professional Turkish league began in 1959 despite a 1-0 win against Samsunspor, while FC Zwolle met with the same fate in the Netherlands following a 7-1 defeat at Feyenoord. Replacing Zwolle are FC Den Bosch, who sealed the Eerstedivisie title on Friday. Champions AFC Ajax signed off in style with a 5-2 win at Willem II.