RC Lens stunned the home crowd at the Velodrome by defeating Olympique de Marseille 1-0 on Saturday, March 8, 2025, as Neil El Aynaoui scored the decisive goal deep in stoppage time. The match, which was part of the 25th round of Ligue 1, was pivotal for Lens, aiming to end a streak of four consecutive losses.
Despite facing significant adversity—missing key players due to injuries and suspensions—Lens displayed remarkable resilience and defensive solidity throughout the match. The only goal came at the 92nd minute, courtesy of El Aynaoui, who capitalized on a well-placed assist from Deiver Machado, sending the away fans and players alike ecstatic.
Lens coach Will Still made notable changes to his lineup, with Juma Bah and Nampalys Mendy brought on to bolster the team amid their struggles. Bah, just 18 years old, made his debut and played alongside Mendy and El Aynaoui in the midfield. This strategic alteration paid off spectacularly, as the team's perseverance led them to snap their losing streak.
The match started with Marseille dominating the early exchanges, showing their intent right from the first minute. Amar Dedic tested RC Lens goalkeeper Mathew Ryan with an ambitious shot, but the Australian international remained composed, showcasing his skills with multiple key saves.
Marseille controlled possession impressively, with 77% recorded during the first half. Despite this dominance, the home side only managed 11 attempts compared to Lens's solitary shot, reflecting the latter's effective defensive setup. Ryan was called upon early, needing to deflect Amine Gouiri’s effort onto the crossbar at the 22nd minute.
The Lens squad, dubbed the "Sang et Or," showcased immense discipline and cohesion as they weathered the storm of Marseille’s attacks. Their sturdy defense was highlighted by timely interventions from players like Bah and Mendy, who restricted the number of clear chances for the hosts.
During the match, the main talking point came from a challenge by Marseille's Valentin Rongier on Machado, which raised eyebrows when Rongier received just a yellow card for what could've been considered a more serious foul. Lens's Florian Sotoca voiced his concerns to the referee, Thomas Léonard, insisting on video review support for the contentious decision.
Despite Marseille's offensive pressures, the Lens defense held firm. They delayed Marseille's breakthrough opportunities, with Ryan making significant saves against both Luis Henrique and Neal Maupay late in the second half. Ryan's heroics were instrumental, ensuring the scoreline remained goalless leading up to the decisive clash.
With momentum building, Lens began to find opportunities of their own as the clock ticked down. Their efforts culminated dramatically when Machado launched up the left flank and found El Aynaoui lurking inside the box. The young midfielder snuck past defenders and struck the winning goal with precision past Geronimo Rulli.
After the game, El Aynaoui expressed his delight at the team's performance, telling DAZN, “I think we played like men. It’s the whole group showing up today, even with absences. It’s like one family working together. We did the match we needed to do; it’s promising for the future.” His thoughts echoed the sentiment shared among his teammates, highlighting the morale boost the victory provides moving forward.
This triumph brought Lens back to form and marked only their fourth victory at the Velodrome in the last five seasons, demonstrating their ability to contend with one of Ligue 1's giants, even under challenging conditions. The result lifted Lens to eighth place on the league table, re-igniting hope as they set their eyes on the next fixture against Stade Rennais.
Reflecting on the overall match, Olympique Marseille’s coach, Roberto De Zerbi, was left to ponder the missed opportunities and decisions made during the game. With players like Mason Greenwood and Luis Henrique benched, De Zerbi might revisit his lineup strategy moving forward.
Overall, this match served as not just a win for Lens but also as a testimony to their resilience, underscoring the narrative of overcoming adversity and fostering team spirit, which will be critically important as they face upcoming challenges this season.