RC Lens produced a fantastic performance to beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Sunday, ending the capital club’s unbeaten record this season and closing the gap on the Ligue 1 Uber Eats leaders to four points.
RC Lens 3-1 Paris Saint-Germain
THE MATCH
Lens really needed to win this New Year’s Day showdown to keep alive the title race after they fell seven points behind the reigning champions following their 0-0 draw away at OGC Nice on Thursday. However, PSG travelled north still without Lionel Messi and with Neymar Jr suspended following his red card in midweek. Danilo Pereira and Carlos Soler came into the visitors’ starting line-up while Achraf Hakimi was also handed a first start since returning from the World Cup.
Les Sang et Or were defending an unbeaten record at home this season and they went in front with just five minutes on the clock as Przemysław Frankowski pounced to score after Gianluigi Donnarumma had got a touch to Massadio Haïdara’s ball into the middle without managing to clear the danger.
The stadium erupted but PSG were back level just three minutes later, Hugo Ekitiké beating Brice Samba to a Nordi Mukiele cutback and tucking the ball into the net for his second goal in his side’s last three matches.
Nine straight home wins
That was far from the end of the first-half drama, however. Lens went back in front just before the half-hour mark as Loïs Openda was released on goal. He evaded the sliding challenge of Marquinhos before beating Donnarumma, although the goalkeeper did get a touch to the ball (28’). It was an eighth Ligue 1 goal for the Belgian international, who made just one substitute appearance during his country’s disappointing World Cup campaign.
Crucially, Lens then got a third goal just after the restart. Fabian Ruiz was pressed out of possession on the edge of the Paris box before Openda’s backheel set up Alexis Claude-Maurice to score on a rare start.
Lens then saw out the win, their sixth in seven games since suffering their only defeat of the season so far away to northern rivals LOSC Lille in early October. This was their ninth straight home win. They are now just four points off top spot and also seven clear of AS Monaco in fourth as they dream of Champions League qualification.
THE PLAYER: Loïs Openda
Openda had not started any of his team’s last four outings and made just one late appearance off the bench for Belgium at the World Cup. However, he was recalled here, preferred to Wesley Saïd in the Lens attack by coach Franck Haise. He duly produced an outstanding performance with one goal and one assist.
THE STAT: 24
This was PSG’s first defeat in 24 games this season in all competitions. In fact they came into this game unbeaten in 32 matches altogether since a 3-0 loss at AS Monaco back in March.
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