Lens turns the tables on Rennes and temporarily tops the league
In an exciting round of the French Ligue 1, Lens secured a valuable 3-1 victory over Rennes, temporarily taking the top spot in the standings pending the result of the top-of-the-table clash between defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and their rivals Marseille. With this win, Lens raised their points tally to 49, one point ahead of the Parisian giants.
The match began unexpectedly for the home side, with Rennes taking an early lead through Esteban Lepoul in the eighth minute. However, the "Blood and Gold" refused to give up, equalizing before halftime through Odsonne Edouard in the 41st minute. In the second half, Ruben Aguilar put Lens ahead in the 54th minute, but was quickly sent off just two minutes later, leaving his team to play with ten men for nearly 40 minutes. Despite being a man down, Lens displayed defensive resilience and secured their victory with a third goal, scored by substitute Allan Saint-Maximin in the 78th minute. This was Saint-Maximin's debut after his transfer from Mexican club Club América. Saudi Arabian player Saud Abdulhamid also featured in the match, coming on as a substitute in the 61st minute.
A historic comeback and fierce competition for the title
Lens' rise to the top of the table represents a significant event in French football this season, breaking Paris Saint-Germain's long-standing dominance. Known for its rich history and passionate fanbase, Lens evokes memories of its historic 1998 season when it won its only league title. The team's impressive performances under its coach have added considerable excitement to the title race and have made Ligue 1 a focus of global attention, proving that determination and organization can challenge immense financial power.
Lyon continues its resurgence and jumps to third place
In another match, Olympique Lyonnais continued their resurgence, temporarily moving into third place ahead of Marseille, after defeating hosts Nantes 1-0. The only goal of the game was scored by Czech striker Patrik Schick in the 25th minute. The match also saw Brazilian striker André Calabrese sent off in the 61st minute, marking his fourth appearance for Lyon since joining on loan from Real Madrid. Lyon's victory brings their points tally to 42, confirming their strong return to contention for a Champions League spot, the primary objective for the club that dominated French football in the first decade of the 21st century with seven consecutive titles.
Other results and their impact on the ranking
In another match, Brest bounced back from two losses and a draw with a 2-0 victory over visiting Lorient, with goals from Rémi Labor Lascari (50) and Ludovic Ajorque (77). Brest now has 26 points, while Lorient remains on 28. These results intensify the competition not only at the top of the table but also in the middle and for European qualification, promising an exceptional season right up to the end.
