In a thrilling encounter at the Stade Bollaert, Reims secured a vital 2-0 victory over RC Lens in the opening match of the 29th round of Ligue 1 on April 11, 2025. This win not only boosted Reims' survival hopes but also dealt a significant blow to Lens' aspirations for European qualification.
The home side, Lens, started the match with high hopes, needing a win to close the gap on the teams above them in the standings. They dominated possession early on, holding 67% compared to Reims' 33%. Kyllian Antonio had the first chance of the game, testing Reims' goalkeeper Yevhann Diouf with a long-range shot that flirted with the crossbar in the 5th minute.
However, the match took a turn for the worse for Lens as they suffered two crucial injuries. Deiver Machado was forced off in the 21st minute, replaced by Fulgini, and Juma Bah followed suit in the 41st minute, leaving the home side to contend with a depleted squad.
Despite their early dominance, Lens struggled to convert their chances into goals. Reims capitalized on their opportunity in the 34th minute when Keito Nakamura found the back of the net, scoring from close range after a well-placed cross from Sergio Akieme. This marked Nakamura's 10th goal of the season, and it stunned the home crowd as Lens trailed 0-1 at halftime.
As the second half commenced, Lens intensified their efforts to equalize. Goduine Koyalipou came close just a minute after the restart, but his header was expertly saved by Diouf, who was in sensational form throughout the match. Lens continued to press, with Thomasson hitting the crossbar in the 53rd minute and Sotoca's header being denied at the line by Malcolm Jeng just before halftime.
Yevhann Diouf's performance was nothing short of remarkable, as he made a staggering 14 saves, thwarting every attempt from the Lens attackers. His double save in the 75th minute, denying both Anass Zaroury and Adrien Thomasson, was a highlight of the match and showcased his incredible reflexes.
Despite their relentless pressure, Lens could not find the breakthrough. Instead, it was Reims who struck again in the 88th minute. Nakamura, on a counter-attack, received a pass from Nhoa Sangui and curled a shot past Mathew Ryan to seal the victory at 0-2, effectively ending any hopes of a comeback for Lens.
With this win, Reims climbed to 14th place in the Ligue 1 standings, moving away from the relegation zone and putting themselves in a better position for survival. Meanwhile, Lens remained stagnant in 9th place, five points adrift of the seventh position that could lead to European competition next season.
Looking ahead, Lens will face a crucial match against Brest on Sunday, April 13, 2025, where they must secure a win to keep their European dreams alive. Reims, on the other hand, will host Toulouse on the same day, aiming to build on their momentum and further distance themselves from the relegation battle.
This match highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two teams, with Reims displaying resilience and efficiency, while Lens struggled to convert their dominance into goals. As the season progresses, both teams will need to navigate their respective challenges carefully.
