Lille 1 Man United 1
Lille hit back to draw 1-1 with Manchester United tonight and secured a UEFA Cup berth by finishing third in Group G.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer unleashed a powerful shot into the far corner from inside the box to put United in front in the sixth minute.
The French club equalised through midfielder Bruno Cheyrou, who side-stepped two defenders to produce a fine strike in the 65th minute.
With group leaders Deportivo Coruna drawing 1-1 in Greece with Olympiakos, Lille finished third in the group to clinch the UEFA spot.
"It's a great satisfaction as the guys played really well tonight. We could have even done something better", said Lille coach Vahid Halilodzic.
"We equalised thanks to a great goal. The team proved they deserved to play in the Champions League and it's a great reward", he said.
United had already qualified for the second phase of the Champions League before the game. The English champions finished second behind group winners Deportivo Coruna of Spain. Both teams finished with 10 points, four ahead of Lille.
In the fifth minute, Morocco striker Salaheddine Bassir had a close-range shot stopped by Roy Carroll, Fabien Barthez's replacement in the United goal.
United then opened the scoring through Solskjaer who escaped the Lille defence to fire a powerful shot from inside the box past goalkeeper Gregory Wimbee.
The hosts squandered their best chance of the first half when defender Johnny Ecker volleyed wide from close-range three minutes from the break.
In the second half break the home side had their efforts rewarded when Cheyrou side-stepped two defenders and hit a fierce shot to equalise.
"We don't deserve any more than we have got. I haven't seen a team in Europe who hit the ball as Lille did tonight," said United manager Alex Ferguson.
"They go for every tackle, they chased every ball. Everybody fought and I think they deserved the draw. I wish them good luck in the UEFA Cup."
"We are just happy to qualify in such a difficult group."