The 2020/21 French season gave one of the tightest title races of the decade. While many expected Paris Saint-Germain to run away with it again, Lille disrupted the script and finished top by a single point. The french Ligue 1 standings 2021 told a story of a surprise champion, a tense European race, and a dramatic relegation battle.
By the end of the campaign, 380 matches had produced 1,049 goals, an average of 2.76 per game. Kylian Mbappé finished as league top scorer with 27 goals, but his PSG side still fell just short. For anyone searching later for the Ligue 1 2020-2021 final standings, the table showed Lille ahead of PSG, Monaco, and Lyon in that order.
Ligue 1 2020/21 Season Overview
Ligue 1 in 2020/21 used the classic double round-robin format. Twenty clubs played each other twice, home and away, for a total of 38 league games per team and 380 overall. A win gave three points, a draw one, and a defeat none. Teams were ranked first by points, then goal difference, then goals scored, and only after that by head-to-head criteria and fair-play ranking.
In simple terms, the club with the most points became champion. The bottom two clubs (19th and 20th) were relegated directly to Ligue 2. The team in 18th place went into a two-legged promotion/relegation play-off with a Ligue 2 side.
European qualification looked like this for 2020/21:
- 1st and 2nd: automatic UEFA Champions League group stage
- 3rd: Champions League third qualifying round
- 4th: UEFA Europa League group stage
- 5th: UEFA Europa League group stage (slot passed down because the cup winner already qualified)
- 6th: UEFA Europa Conference League play-off round
These rules followed the end of the Coupe de la Ligue, whose European slot moved into the league table.
The season ran from 21 August 2020 to 23 May 2021 and was heavily affected by COVID-19 restrictions. Many games were played behind closed doors, including the relegation play-off matches.
From a numbers angle, Ligue 1 stats 2020/21 stand out for two things: a high goal average and long streaks. PSG put together an eight-game winning run, while Lyon managed a 16-match unbeaten streak. Dijon had the longest losing streak with 12 straight defeats.
Coupe de France and Trophée des Champions
The 2020–21 Coupe de France was won by Paris Saint-Germain, who beat Monaco 2–0 in the final. Because PSG already qualified for the Champions League through the league, the Europa League place normally attached to the cup passed down to the fifth-placed club in Ligue 1, and the new Conference League spot dropped to sixth.
The French Super Cup (Trophée des Champions) for this cycle was played in January 2021. PSG defeated Marseille 2–1, with goals from Mauro Icardi and Neymar.
Final Ligue 1 Standings Breakdown 20/21
To understand the shape of the season, you need to look at the 2021 Ligue 1 table. Lille finished as champions with 83 points, one ahead of PSG. Monaco and Lyon completed the top four. At the bottom, Nîmes and Dijon went down automatically, while Nantes survived through the play-offs.
Here is the full Ligue 1 table 2020/21:
| Pos | Team | W | D | L | GD | Pts | Note |
| 1 | Lille | 24 | 11 | 3 | +41 | 83 | Champions |
| 2 | Paris SG | 26 | 4 | 8 | +58 | 82 | UCL group |
| 3 | Monaco | 24 | 6 | 8 | +34 | 78 | UCL qual. |
| 4 | Lyon | 22 | 10 | 6 | +38 | 76 | Europa League |
| 5 | Marseille | 16 | 12 | 10 | +7 | 60 | Europa League |
| 6 | Rennes | 16 | 10 | 12 | +12 | 58 | Europa Conf. |
| 7 | Lens | 15 | 12 | 11 | +1 | 57 | — |
| 8 | Montpellier | 14 | 12 | 12 | −2 | 54 | — |
| 9 | Nice | 15 | 7 | 16 | −3 | 52 | — |
| 10 | Metz | 12 | 11 | 15 | −4 | 47 | — |
| 11 | Saint-Étienne | 12 | 10 | 16 | −12 | 46 | — |
| 12 | Bordeaux | 13 | 6 | 19 | −14 | 45 | — |
| 13 | Angers | 12 | 8 | 18 | −18 | 44 | — |
| 14 | Reims | 9 | 15 | 14 | −8 | 42 | — |
| 15 | Strasbourg | 11 | 9 | 18 | −9 | 42 | — |
| 16 | Lorient | 11 | 9 | 18 | −18 | 42 | — |
| 17 | Brest | 11 | 8 | 19 | −16 | 41 | — |
| 18 | Nantes | 9 | 13 | 16 | −8 | 40 | Relegation play-off |
| 19 | Nîmes | 9 | 8 | 21 | −31 | 35 | Relegated |
| 20 | Dijon | 4 | 9 | 25 | −48 | 21 | Relegated |
A few patterns stand out:
| The top four formed a clear block, separated by 17 points from fifth-placed Marseille. |
Mid-table was crowded, especially from Reims in 14th to Lorient in 16th. All three finished on 42 points, but goal difference decided their exact positions.
- Reims: −8
- Strasbourg: −9
- Lorient: −18
Because the league rules rank teams by points first, then goal difference, this explains why equal-point sides do not share a place. Only if those are also equal do goals scored, and later head-to-head, come into play.
Nantes in 18th sat five points above Nîmes in 19th, but still had to face Toulouse in a relegation play-off. A 2–1 away win in the first leg and a 1–0 home defeat produced a 2–2 aggregate score, with Nantes staying up on away goals.
Ligue 1 Champion 2020/21
Lille were the Ligue 1 2020-2021 champion, finishing on 83 points with only three defeats and the league’s best defence. They scored 64 goals and conceded just 23, giving a goal difference of +41.
Their season was built on consistency rather than big scorelines. Mike Maignan delivered 21 clean sheets in the league, leading all goalkeepers, while veteran striker Burak Yılmaz scored key goals at crucial times.
For anyone asking who won Ligue 1 2021, the short answer is Lille. But the long answer is about a disciplined squad, clever coaching, and decisive away form. Lille took 43 points away from home and lost only once on their travels.
When Lille Secured the Title
The Ligue 1 2020-2021 winner confirmed the title on the final matchday. A 2–1 away victory at Angers left PSG powerless to catch them, even though the Paris club won its own last game. Compared with PSG’s previous titles, this margin was slim, but it underlined how strong Lille had been against direct rivals.
Two games often highlighted as decisive:
- PSG 0–1 Lille (3 April 2021) – Jonathan David scored the only goal in Paris. Lille took control of first place and sent a message to the rest of the league.
- Lyon 2–3 Lille (25 April 2021) – Lille came back from 2–0 down, with Yılmaz scoring twice, including a long-range free-kick. That comeback win kept them ahead in a tight race.
Why Lille Were So Strong
Several edges explain why Lille became Ligue 1 2021 winner:
- Defensive solidity – Maignan’s clean-sheet record, plus José Fonte’s leadership and a compact structure, kept goals conceded very low.
- Balanced attack – Goals were spread among Yılmaz, Jonathan David, Jonathan Bamba, and Jonathan Ikoné. Opponents could not focus on one scorer.
- Game management – Christophe Galtier’s side rarely lost control when leading. They drew 11 matches and converted many tight games into narrow wins.
In short, the Ligue 1 2020-2021 winner came from a clear tactical plan, smart recruitment, and consistent performances in both home and away fixtures.
European Qualification Results
European spots were distributed directly through the league table, with adjustments because PSG also won the Coupe de France.
Champions League
- Lille (1st) – Qualified straight for the Champions League group stage.
- Paris Saint-Germain (2nd) – Also entered the group stage.
- Monaco (3rd) – Entered the Champions League third qualifying round.
Europa League
- Lyon (4th) – Took one Europa League group stage spot.
- Marseille (5th) – Gained the cup-winner’s Europa League slot after PSG’s league finish freed it.
Europa Conference League
- Rennes (6th) – Entered the play-off round of the new UEFA Europa Conference League.
Lens narrowly missed out on Europe despite an impressive first year back in the top flight. Their seventh-place finish stood just one point behind Rennes.
Relegation Zone Results
At the other end of the table, the picture was just as tense. Dijon and Nîmes were relegated automatically, while Nantes survived in dramatic fashion.
Direct Relegation
- Dijon (20th) – Only four wins and 25 goals scored left them bottom with 21 points.
- Nîmes (19th) – Conceded 71 goals and finished on 35 points, six behind safety.
Dijon’s 12-match losing streak and 15-match winless run were among the worst in league history.
Relegation Play-Off
Nantes, in 18th place, faced Toulouse over two legs. The Ligue 1 side won 2–1 away in the first leg, then lost 1–0 at home. The 2–2 aggregate score meant Nantes survived thanks to away goals, and Toulouse stayed in Ligue 2.
The point gap between Nantes and Nîmes (five points) shows that the 18th-placed team was closer to mid-table than to the automatic relegation spots. Brest, one place above Nantes, survived by just a single point.
Key matches included late-season wins for Nantes against Strasbourg, Bordeaux, and Brest. Those results dragged them into the play-off spot and pushed Nîmes and Dijon down.
Team Statistics Summary
Looking at Ligue 1 2021 stats for teams gives a clear picture of styles and strengths across the division.
Best and Worst Attacks
Paris Saint-Germain with 86 league goals.
Lyon with 81 and Monaco with 76.
Dijon scored only 25, the lowest in the league, while Nîmes reached 40.
So although Lille were champions, PSG, Lyon, and Monaco carried more attacking firepower in raw numbers.
Best and Worst Defences
Lille with only 23 goals against.
PSG conceded 28; Monaco 42; Lyon 43.
Dijon allowed 73 goals, Nîmes 71, and Lorient 68.
This combination of average attacking numbers and outstanding defending explains Lille’s ability to win many close games.
Home and Away Specialists
Using home and away tables, a few patterns appear:
- Strongest home records: Monaco and Lyon both took over 40 points at home. PSG and Lille were close behind.
- Best away record: Lille led the away table with 13 wins and only one defeat. Lyon and PSG also produced strong away numbers.
- Weakest away sides: Dijon and Nîmes struggled badly, picking up very few points on the road.
Streaks and Runs
From the season statistics:
- Longest winning run: PSG – 8 consecutive victories.
- Longest unbeaten run: Lyon – 16 matches without defeat.
- Longest winless run: Dijon and Nantes – 15 games.
- Longest losing run: Dijon – 12 straight losses.
These streaks shaped the final table. Dijon’s poor sequence effectively sealed their fate, while Lyon’s unbeaten run kept them in the title conversation for much of the season.
Ligue 1 Players Stats 2020/2021
Individual performances also defined the season. Sites such as FBref and official league reports provide very detailed Ligue 1 player stats 2020/21, but some names stand out everywhere.
Top Scorers
The list of Ligue 1 top scorers 2020 to 2021 looks like this:
- Kylian Mbappé (PSG) – 27 goals
- Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco) – 20 goals
- Memphis Depay (Lyon) – 20 goals
- Ludovic Ajorque (Strasbourg) – 16 goals
- Gaëtan Laborde (Montpellier) – 16 goals
- Kevin Volland (Monaco) – 16 goals
- Burak Yılmaz (Lille) – 16 goals
Mbappé’s scoring record kept PSG in the title race, while Lille’s Yılmaz provided the decisive goals in many tight matches.
Goalkeepers
Clean-sheet numbers underline how important Mike Maignan was for Lille:
- Mike Maignan (Lille) – 21 clean sheets
- Keylor Navas (PSG) – 15
- Benoît Costil (Bordeaux) – 14
- Benjamin Lecomte (Monaco) – 13
- Anthony Lopes (Lyon) – 11
Maignan’s performances earned him a transfer to AC Milan that summer and confirmed him as one of Europe’s standout keepers.
Best Defender, Midfielder, Forward (By Season Impact)
Official UNFP awards do not split the field players into strict “best defender/midfielder/forward” categories, but the Team of the Year gives a good guide.
- Defence: Marquinhos (PSG) and Presnel Kimpembe (PSG) formed a highly rated centre-back pairing, with Reinildo (Lille) and Jonathan Clauss (Lens) completing the back line in the Team of the Year.
- Midfield: Aurélien Tchouaméni (Monaco), Lucas Paquetá (Lyon), Neymar (PSG), and Benjamin André (Lille) were all included. Tchouaméni also received the Young Player of the Season award.
- Attack: Memphis Depay and Kylian Mbappé featured together in the Team of the Year and dominated offensive metrics across goals and chance creation.
Official UNFP Awards
According to the annual awards section of the league summary:
This mix confirms how Lille and PSG dominated most individual categories, with Monaco and Lyon also strongly represented.
Individual and Team Highlights
The 2020–21 campaign produced many memorable moments, both obvious and subtle.
Headline highlights:
- Lille breaking PSG’s run of three straight titles, despite having a smaller budget and fewer star names.
- Mbappé scoring 27 league goals and still finishing second in the table.
- Lens finishing seventh just one year after promotion, playing proactive football and taking points off several big clubs.
Hidden stories:
- Strasbourg and Lorient both survived after looking in serious trouble at different stages. Each ended on 42 points, showing how their late runs mattered.
- Reims combined a mid-table finish with a strong season from Boulaye Dia, who scored 14 goals and later moved abroad.
- The discipline table showed Marseille receiving the most yellow cards and Lyon the most red cards, which occasionally hurt both clubs during key fixtures.
From a tactical angle, Lille’s compact 4-4-2 and Monaco’s flexible attacking scheme under Niko Kovač were two of the most interesting systems in the league. Lyon’s attack around Depay, Ekambi, and Paquetá also produced some of the season’s best attacking football.
All together, the season felt like a balance shift, proving that a well-run club with smart recruitment and strong coaching could still topple a financial giant over 38 games.
FAQs
Lille OSC were confirmed as champions on 23 May 2021 after beating Angers 2–1 away from home.
There were 1,049 goals scored across 380 matches, giving an average of 2.76 goals per game.
Kylian Mbappé won the UNFP Player of the Season award for Ligue 1, reflecting his 27-goal league campaign.
Lille, PSG, and Monaco qualified for the Champions League; Lyon and Marseille for the Europa League; Rennes for the Europa Conference League.
Dijon and Nîmes were relegated automatically. Nantes finished 18th and stayed up by beating Toulouse on away goals in the two-leg play-off
