There was no separating Montpellier Hérault SC and RC Lens at the Stade de la Mosson on Saturday, with Angelo Fulgini's first-half goal for the visitors cancelled out by Faitout Maouassa's header in the second.
Montpellier Hérault SC 1-1 RC Lens
THE MATCH
Lens knew victory could lift them onto the Ligue 1 Uber Eats podium, at least until AS Monaco's meeting with OGC Nice on Sunday, and they got off to the perfect start at the Stade de la Mosson with Angelo Fulgini lifting the ball beyond Benjamin Lecomte for 1-0 (4'). Montpellier were without suspended captain Téji Savanier but Wahbi Khazri, playing in his stead, came close to an equaliser soon after, but Brice Samba saved his volley (9'). Samba then raced off his line to deny Arnaud Nordin, who had been played through by Jordan Ferri (19'). Montpellier lost Maxime Estève to injury (28') but they continued to dominate , with Joris Chotard sending another effort wide of Samba's goal (33'). Lens might have carried a 2-0 lead into the interval, though, had Lecomte not punched Florian Sotoca's effort clear (37') ad it was 1-0 at the break.
Montpellier reply
Montpellier had the first real chance of the second half when Issiaga Sylla teed up Chotard, but the midfielder's effort was comfortably saved (51'). Lens should have pulled futher clear soon after, though. Florian Sotoca forced a save with a header from Fulgini's corner and Kevin Danso hit the crossbar on the rebound (57'). Instead, Montpellier got back on level terms just inside the hour when Chotard's searching cross found Faitout Maouassa at the back post, ready to head home (59'). Sotoca was only Lecomte save away from making it 2-1 at the other end, the goalkeeper doing brilliantly to stop his left-footed curler (71'). Second-half substitute Loïs Openda has another chance for Lens but flashed his shot over (79'). Julien Le Cardinal had a goal ruled out for handball at the death ( 90'+3) and it ended 1-1.
THE PLAYER: Benjamin Lecomte
This was an impressive share of the spoils for Montpellier, and one that would have been impossible without Lecomte. The former France under-20 shot-stopper made six big saves here, the one from Sotoca in the second half with athleticism few other goalkeepers in the league can boast.
THE STAT: 4
This was the first time in four meetings across all competitions that Lens have failed to beat Montpellier. The last time La Paillaide took anything off Les Sang et Or was in October 2021, when Stephy Mavididi got the only goal in a 1-0 win at the Stade de la Mosson.
