They were off by one point to reach first place. That's often the case where a team doesn't win first place due to a point difference..
ご質問ありがとうございます。
まず、「あと一点で一等だった。」は英語で「They were off by one point to reach first place.」と言います。
そして、「一点[差](https://eikaiwa.dmm.com/uknow/questions/38426/)で一等を逃すことがよくある」の場合、「That's often the case where a team doesn't win first place due to a point difference.」になります。
ご参考になれば幸い
アメリカ合衆国 
