French Ligue 1: Monaco go fifth in the table with victory over Metz

Monaco moved up to fifth in the Ligue 1 standings as Yannick Ferreira Carrasco's late goal gave them a 1-0 victory at lowly Metz on Saturday night.

The Belgian winger scored the only goal of the game in the 79th minute to ensure Monaco leapfrogged Bordeaux, who host Lyon on Sunday.

Victory at the Stade Saint-Symphorien means Leonardo Jardim's side have won their last four league encounters, while Metz have lost three in a row and are still in the relegation places.

Monaco, who found out earlier this week that they will face former manager Arsene Wenger's Arsenal in the last 16 of the Champions League, struggled to get a foothold in the game as Metz enjoyed the better of the early exchanges.

Metz should have got their noses in front when Juan Falcon was picked out by Florent Malouda, but the Venezuelan striker could only direct his volley straight at Monaco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic who saved on the line.

Falcon was guilty of squandering a further chance before half time, while Monaco's only clear-cut chance of the first period fell to Anthony Martial, but his left-footed lob-shot faded wide of Metz goalkeeper Anthony Mfa Mezui's upright.

Monaco has Subasic to thank five minutes after the restart when he produced a fine save to keep out Malouda's header, while the former Chelsea man missed by a matter of inches with a long-range effort moments later.

Carrasco then sounded a warning to Metz in the 73rd minute when he cut in from the left and, after storming into the penalty area, unleashed a fierce drive that Mfa Mezui did well to repel.

Six minutes later Carrasco did get the breakthrough when he fired home from inside the penalty area following a fine counter-attack move instigated by substitute Valere Germain.

Carrasco turned provider with five minutes left to release Lacina Traore through on goal but his shot was blocked before time ran out for Metz to find an equaliser.

Monaco travel to Ligue 2 side Nimes in the Coupe de France on January 4 in their first match after the two-week winter break, while Metz are also away as they take on fourth division side Epinal.