Result

RC Lens secured a decisive 5-2 win over AJ Auxerre on 22 August at Bollaert. The final score was sealed by a penalty from Florian Thauvin in the 88th minute, after Mamadou Diop missed his save on the first penalty at 90+5.

Key moments

  • 13th minute: Penalty awarded to Lens after a foul by Dioubate on Thauvin. Thauvin converts.
  • 35th minute: Red card for Christ Makosso, who brought down Sima. Auxerre is reduced to ten.
  • 56th minute: Third goal for Lens, Sima scores after a Skoras cross.
  • 61st minute: Auxerre cuts the deficit to 3-1 with a penalty by Danny Namaso.
  • 67th minute: Lens extends the lead to 4-1 via a Ganiou goal.
  • 70th minute: Auxerre narrows the gap to 4-2, Mandengue scores.
  • 86th minute: VAR confirms a penalty for Lens after a foul by Dioubate on Thauvin. Thauvin converts.
  • 88th minute: Thauvin nets a superb goal, finalizing the 5-2.
  • 90+7: Hazard misses a shot.

Tactical details

Dino Toppmoller saw his side take the lead early, with a penalty in the 13th minute. Will Still tried to respond, but Makosso’s dismissal left Auxerre at ten. Lens’s substitutions saw Bulatovic replace Ganiou, while Auxerre introduced Coulibaly and Legros, replacing Namaso and Ahamada. VAR played a crucial role, notably confirming the 86th-minute penalty. Mamadou Diop’s saves were decisive, especially when he stopped the 90+5 penalty.

Conclusion

The match was dominated by Lens, who capitalized on every opportunity. The final striking detail of the encounter was Thauvin’s penalty conversion in the 88th minute, sealing the Racing’s 5-2 victory.