The French Ligue 1 side Rennes has secured their place in the Europa League by beating Nice 3-0 on Saturday afternoon. The victory was crucial for Rennes, who needed to win to break into Europe's elite club competition.

The match between the two sides was a closely contested affair, with both teams creating chances throughout the game. However, it was Rennes who ultimately came out on top, thanks to a brace from forward Youssouf Fofana and a goal from substitute David Luiz.

Fofana's first-half effort put Rennes ahead before Luiz added a second late on to secure all three points. The result means that Rennes have qualified for next season's Europa League, joining a group featuring clubs such as Sevilla and Ajax.

"It's been a long road," said Rennes manager Christophe Galtier after the match. "We knew we had to win today and I'm happy that we did."

The victory is a major boost for Rennes, who were already looking good for a top-four finish this season. With the Europa League spot secured, they can now focus on securing their place in the Champions League places for next season.

For Nice, the defeat was a blow to their hopes of qualifying for Europe. They will now need to work hard to avoid relegation and ensure they remain in the top flight of French football.

Overall, it was a strong performance from Rennes, who showed their quality and determination to claim their place in Europe's premier club competition. The victory is a significant milestone for the team and sets them up well for the future.