Lens stun Lille 3-0 in Derby du Nord to hand rivals first league defeat
Saïd, Thauvin and Fofana on target as Lens claim just second home win over Lille in 11 meetings.
LENS, France – Lens produced a commanding performance in front of a raucous Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Sunday, defeating rivals Lille 3-0 in the Derby du Nord to end their neighbours’ unbeaten start to the Ligue 1 season.
The derby began at a frenetic pace, with both sides carving out early chances in wet and smoky conditions created by flares in the stands. Lens thought they had struck inside five minutes when Rayan Fofana’s header squirmed through goalkeeper Berke Özer and across the line, only for the flag to cut short the celebrations. Lille almost made the reprieve count, but Félix Correia’s strike was parried by Robin Risser and Hákon Arnar Haraldsson blazed the rebound over.
The breakthrough arrived in unusual fashion after 28 minutes. A low Lens corner evaded everyone in the box and crept inside the far post, with Wesley Saïd claiming the final touch. The hosts built on that momentum and doubled their lead before the interval, Florian Thauvin curling home with composure after a quick transition caught Lille’s defence off guard.
Lille, who had scored a league-high 13 goals in their first four matches, were expected to respond after the break, but instead their backline unravelled further. Özer failed to deal with Ruben Aguilar’s powerful shot, parrying the ball into Fofana’s path, and the midfielder converted from close range to make it 3-0. A VAR review confirmed the goal, sparking another surge of noise from the home support.
From there Lens controlled the tempo. Thauvin twice went close to adding a second, while substitute Morgan Guilavogui dragged a shot wide, as Lille struggled to mount any serious response. The visitors, who had made a habit of late goals this season, could find no way back and saw their three-match winning streak abruptly halted.
The result narrows the gap between the two northern clubs to a single point in the table, with Lille missing the chance to climb top, albeit having played a game more than Paris Saint-Germain. For Lens, it was only their second home victory over Lille in 11 attempts, but one that could provide a significant boost to their early-season ambitions.
Player of the Match: Florian Thauvin
Scored Lens’ second with a precise finish and remained a constant attacking threat, nearly doubling his tally in the second half.