Nicolas PepeGetty

Nicolas Pepe's double seals Uefa Champions League berth for Lille

Nicolas Pepe has helped Lille qualify for next season's Uefa Champions League with his brace in their 5-0 thrashing of Angers on Saturday.

Pepe scored a goal in each half of the encounter to stretch his league tally to 22 goals and 11 assists after 37 matches.

The Ivory Coast international doubled the lead in the 14th minute after Jonathan Ikone opened the scoring in the second minute.

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He later grabbed his brace in the 76th minute after converting from the penalty spot to give Lille a four-goal lead.

The victory confirmed their second place finish in the Ligue 1 table, having maintained their six-point lead above third-placed Lyon, with a game remaining.

Lille will hope to end their campaign on a high and extend their eight-game unbeaten streak when they visit Rennes for their last game of the season on Friday.

Next month, Pepe is expected to replicate his fine goalscoring form for Ivory Coast's campaign at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The Elephants are up against South Africa, Namibia and Morocco in Group D of the continental showpiece.

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