Monaco and Lyon starts the ''Ligue 1'' with a win.

Colombia striker Radamel Falcao helped pay back some of his record €60m transfer as he struck a late goal in Monaco's 2-0 win over Bordeaux in their French top-flight opener on Saturday.

After Emmanuel Riviere scrambled home an 82nd minute goal, Falcao showed all his predatory instincts as he pounced on a loose ball in the box to slide the ball home with just two minutes remaining. 

"We controlled the match and I think it was a deserved victory," said Monaco playmaker Jeremy Toulalan.

There were also opening day victories for Lyon, Rennes, Valenciennes and Lille while champions Paris Saint-Germain were held to a 1-1 draw at Montpeller on the opening day of the season on Friday.

At the Stade Gerland, seven-time champions Lyon coasted to a 4-0 win over hapless Nice after taking a 13th-minute lead when Alexandre Lacazette won a battle in the box before banging home from what replays appeared to indicate an offside position.

Clement Grenier then doubled the lead for Remi Garde's men nine minutes inside the second half after good work from former French player of the year Yoann Gourcuff as the team got the ideal preparation to face Real Sociedad in the final round of UEFA Champions League qualifying in the first leg on 20 August.

Lacazette added a second and guaranteed top spot albeit on goal difference with his second of the match with 22 minutes remaining before Gourcuff put a gloss on the scoreline with a late fourth.