Camille Lopez kicks Clermont Auvergne to quarter-finals

Bordeaux Begles 6-9 Clermont Auvergne, Stade Chaban-Delmas
Scorecard

Fly-half Camille Lopez kicked three penalties for Clermont Auvergne as they sealed a thrilling 6-9 win over Bordeaux Begles at Stade Chaban-Delmas on Sunday to secure a berth in the quarter-final of the European Champions Cup.

This will be Clermont Auvergne's sixth qualification to the quarter-finals in the last eight seasons and they will be aiming for a home draw when they host Exeter Chiefs in the next round.

The visitors got off to a worst possible start when full back Isaiah Toeava and prop Viktor Kolelishvili were sin-binned in the ninth and 12th minute respectively by referee Nigel Owens.

Bordeaux Begles fly-half Ian Madigan and his counterpart Lopez kicked two penalties each as the teams went into half-time with scores levelled at 6-6.

The home team had a golden chance to gain clear advantage when lock Tom Palmer tried to cross over but was held back. Lopez had an attempt at a drop goal but went in vain.

However, the fly-half scored the decisive penalty for Clermont Auvergne in the 59th minute to secure a three-point win for the visitors. The win has taken Clermont Auvergne to the top position in Pool 5 with 21 points and they become the fourth team to secure a quarter-final berth in Champions Cup after Leinster, Saracens and Munster.