Lens Shock PSG 1-0 To Win French Champions’ Trophy
Lens produced a stunning upset on Sunday, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 to claim the French Champions’ Trophy despite finishing the match with 10 men.
Florian Thauvin scored the decisive goal in the 32nd minute, converting at the back post after PSG failed to clear Matthieu Udol’s cross-shot.
The victory marked an impressive start to Dino Toppmoeller’s reign as Lens coach and added another trophy to the French Cup they won under Pierre Sage in May.
PSG, fresh from their UEFA Super Cup victory over Aston Villa, dominated possession early on but struggled to create clear opportunities.
Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser comfortably saved Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s effort before Thauvin punished PSG’s defensive mistake.
Lens were reduced to 10 men six minutes before half-time when Kyllian Antonio was shown a red card for a studs-up challenge on Maghnes Akliouche. PSG nearly equalised before the break, but Desire Doue’s effort from a tight angle struck the crossbar.
Despite their numerical advantage, Luis Enrique’s side continued to struggle after the restart. Thauvin went close again for Lens, while substitute Nuno Mendes narrowly missed with a long-range effort.
Enrique introduced Fabian Ruiz and Ousmane Dembele in search of an equaliser, but Dembele’s attempt was comfortably saved by Risser.
PSG were eventually reduced to 10 men themselves three minutes from time when Mendes received a straight red card for elbowing Lens wing-back Michal Skoras in the face off the ball.
The defeat denied PSG a second trophy in five days and leaves them to turn their attention to the start of their Ligue 1 title defence against Rennes next weekend.
Florian Thauvin scored the decisive goal in the 32nd minute, converting at the back post after PSG failed to clear Matthieu Udol’s cross-shot.
The victory marked an impressive start to Dino Toppmoeller’s reign as Lens coach and added another trophy to the French Cup they won under Pierre Sage in May.
PSG, fresh from their UEFA Super Cup victory over Aston Villa, dominated possession early on but struggled to create clear opportunities.
Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser comfortably saved Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s effort before Thauvin punished PSG’s defensive mistake.
Lens were reduced to 10 men six minutes before half-time when Kyllian Antonio was shown a red card for a studs-up challenge on Maghnes Akliouche. PSG nearly equalised before the break, but Desire Doue’s effort from a tight angle struck the crossbar.
Despite their numerical advantage, Luis Enrique’s side continued to struggle after the restart. Thauvin went close again for Lens, while substitute Nuno Mendes narrowly missed with a long-range effort.
Enrique introduced Fabian Ruiz and Ousmane Dembele in search of an equaliser, but Dembele’s attempt was comfortably saved by Risser.
PSG were eventually reduced to 10 men themselves three minutes from time when Mendes received a straight red card for elbowing Lens wing-back Michal Skoras in the face off the ball.
The defeat denied PSG a second trophy in five days and leaves them to turn their attention to the start of their Ligue 1 title defence against Rennes next weekend.
