RC Lens 2-2 FC Nantes

THE MATCH

Lens were looking for a fourth consecutive home win and they took an eighth-minute lead at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis as Marcus Coco flicked on a clearance downfield by Alban Lafont for Simon, the Nigerian outpacing Jonathan Gradit before firing past Jean-Louis Leca into the far corner.

Things got worse for the home side when goalkeeper Jean-Louis Leca was sent off in the 18th minute for bringing down Simon outside the area, and the Nigerian then struck again just after the half-hour mark. This time he followed up to score after Wylan Cyprien’s shot had been pushed out by substitute goalkeeper Wuilker Faríñez.

Desperate to keep alive their outside hopes of qualifying for Europe, Lens pulled a goal back midway through the second half. Seko Fofana teed up David Pereira Da Costa to curl a shot into the corner and make it 2-1. The equaliser followed soon after, Lens winning a penalty when Wesley Saïd was fouled by Lafont. Arnaud Kalimuendo stepped up to score from the spot and ensure a share of the spoils (81’).

The result keeps Lens in touch in the fight for European qualification while for Nantes all the focus is now on the Cup final against OGC Nice.

THE PLAYER: Moses Simon

The Nigerian had scored a last-minute winner as Nantes came from two goals down to win 3-2 when the teams met in the reverse fixture back in December. This time the tables were almost turned right around as Les Canaris went two goals up before being pegged back to draw. Simon got both goals for Antoine Kombouaré’s side to continue his fine campaign, moving on to six in total for the season. Nantes will be hoping he keeps up his fine form in next weekend’s Coupe de France final.

THE STAT: 14

Simon has been directly involved in 14 Ligue 1 Uber Eats goals this season, scoring six and setting up eight more. He is the first Nantes player to be involved in 10 or more goals in three straight seasons since the late Emiliano Sala, who enjoyed a similar run between 2016-17 and 2018-19.

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