Montpellier started the game sluggishly and almost pay for it in the fourth minute when Burak Yilmaz found himself in a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Jonas Omlin but he managed to miss the target. Another fine opportunity fell in the way of Lille to open the scoring in the 12th minute but Yilmaz’s shot was blocked. Montpellier gradually pushed for the opening goal and got it in the 36th minute when Delort headed home from close range after receiving a sublime pass from Gaetan Laborde. Moments before the end of the first half, the Algeria international came close to double the Paillade’s lead when he powered a header towards goal but the effort failed to trouble Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan.