Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 6, 09/10/2026
Lens inflicted Lyon their first defeat of the Ligue 1 courtesy of an impressed show for Yannick Cahuzac’s house debut. Florian Thauvin delivered the products with two assists. Khalis Merah’s late aim was in useless for Paulo Fonseca’s crew.
The Match
After a three-week hiatus, Ligue 1 soccer returned with a mouth-watering recreation between Lens, winless of their final 4 Ligue 1 ties, and second-placed Lyon. For his debut at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Yannick Cahuzac, who took over following t, hoped to change into the primary head coach to defeat Paulo Fonseca’s Les Gones in Ligue 1.
The hosts began fairly effectively in dominating possession. Their constructive begin may have been rewarded had Dominik Greif not denied Florian Sotoca’s half-volley with a outstanding point-blank save. Lyon couldn’t lay a glove on Lens. They have been unable to register a single shot on the right track within the first half. They have been certainly left to comprise a rejuvenated and rampant Lens facet.
Though Odsonne Edouard had a poor first half, Lens may nonetheless depend on 35-year-old Sotoca, who was given a shock begin within the absence of Abdallah Sima, however forward of Franjo Ivanovic. Sotoca repaid Cahuzac’s religion with a clear half-volley aim after chesting down Florian Thauvin’s cross. The striker grew to become the oldest participant to attain for the Artois facet since… Cahuzac.
Lens may even have regrets given how they missed possibilities to double their lead. Thauvin drew a prime save from Greif simply earlier than Edouard misplaced his one-on-one in opposition to the Slovakian keeper, Lyon’s finest participant within the first half. As for Lens, they have been ranges above the guests in termes of form, ways and depth. They regarded to have made the many of the worldwide break with Cahuzac on the helm.
Fonseca in all probability instructed his gamers what he felt after a primary half this poor. Lyon lastly made their presence felt with a few possibilities, however Robin Risser proved alert. Sadly for Les Gones, Loïs Openda limped off the pitch with an damage. The second half proved far more entertaining than the primary, provided that Lyon finally put up a struggle.
However in contrast to Lyon, Lens have a participant in Thauvin in a position to bend the sport to their will. The France worldwide winger whipped a deep free-kick for Matthieu Udol to flee Zachary Athekame’s marking and head house. Together with his quarter-hour left to play, Lens regarded within the clear, till they weren’t.
Within the span of two minutes, Udol was handed a deserved pink card for stomping Khalis Merah’s heel, and the diminutive Lyon winger halved the deficit. 10-man Lens needed to dig deep to keep up their lead as Lyon piled on the stress. Ultimately, Lens maintained their slender result in see off a deserved win. Each groups are concerned in Europe subsequent season with Lens internet hosting Sporting CP within the Champions League. Lyon host Crystal Palace within the Europa League.
Lyon participant rankings
Dominik Greif – 7
The Slovakian worldwide single-handedly prevented Lyon from delivery, not less than three objectives, within the first half alone. He’s to not blame for Lens’ two objectives.
Abner – 4
Ruben Kluivert – 4
Felix Bacher – 4
Zachary Athekame – 4
Corentin Tolisso – 4
Tyler Morton – 4
The English midfielder struggled to match Lens’ depth within the midfield. He didn’t carry a lot going ahead, and he didn’t shut Thauvin down for Sotoca’s opener.
Mads Bidstrup – 4
Pavel Sulc – 3
The Czech had a nightmare time at Bollaert. He was tasked with dictating Lyon’s attacking phases, and he was nowhere to be discovered. His go completion share was an terrible 50% within the first half.
Loïs Openda – 4
An sad return to his former searching floor for the Belgian striker, who couldn’t discover a flaw in Lens’ hermetic protection earlier than pulling out with an damage.
Ernest Nuamah – 4
Chosen Lens participant rankings
Ismaëlo Ganiou – 7
The 21-year-old stays an assured presence on the again for Lens and a promising mix of tempo and physicality. He could also be Ligue 1’s finest younger French centre-back, and certainly the most effective prospect from Lens Academy since Raphaël Varane. Made an excellent intervention to thwart Nakamura when Lyon chased an equaliser.
Michaël Cuisance – 6
Florian Thauvin – 7
The France worldwide stays Lens’ X issue. Closely concerned in each Lens objectives, he has now logged ten aim contributions in six Ligue 1 video games. He stakes his declare as Ligue 1’s outright finest participant. Greater than a pacesetter.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
