AS Monaco 1-4 RC Lens

THE MATCH

Lens started brightly in the principality and pulled into the lead inside the opening 10 minutes when Openda poked home at the back post after David Costa's low cross had beaten Alexander Nubel (7'). Monaco might have got back on level terms soon after when Breel Embolo teed up fellow summer arrival Takumi Minamino, but Brice Samba made an instinctive save from point-blank range (16'). Fofana then blazed wide at the other end (18') before the visitors pulled further clear towards the end of the half. Machado got the better of Vanderson and into the Monaco box before firing his Ligue 1 Uber Eats goal into the far corner (38'). Benoît Badiashile pulled one back before the break, though, heading home Caio Henrique's corner for 2-1 (41').

Lens pull clear

The second half was only 10 minutes old when Lens restored their two-goal advantage. Embolo fouled Florian Sotoca in the box and Fofana made no mistake from the subsequent spot-kick (55'). Wissam Ben Yedder attempted to get Monaco back in the game when he beat Kevin Danso with his futsal-honed skill and let fly, but again Samba was equal to the attempt on his goal (59'). Openda was then only the width of the post away from doubling his haul after beating Badiashile and then Nubel (68'). Monaco ended the game with 10 men after Vanderson received a second yellow card against Machado (72'). Lens took full advantage of their numerical superiority when Saïd fired home inside Nubel's near post (78') and it ended 4-1.

THE PLAYER: Seko Fofana

Perhaps the best player not playing for a UEFA Champions League club this season, Fofana has been in high demand since soon after swapping Udinese for Lens in 2020. Les Sang et Or have managed to fend off potential suitors so far this summer, but performances like today's won't make their task any easier.

THE STAT: 11

Lens are now undefeated in their last 11 Ligue 1 Uber Eats matches stretching back to April, when they were edged 1-0 by RC Strasbourg Alsace at the Stade de la Meinau.