While they were behind, the Lensois succeeded in knocking out Arsenal in the Champions League (2-1).
RC Lens has entered the big leagues. And through the most beautiful of doors. For its first home outing in the Champions League this season, the Artesian team managed to dominate the formidable Arsenal (2-1). Carried by an immense Elye Wahi, the Northerners thus matched the performance of their illustrious elders from 1998.
Thomasson made up for it
The vice-champion of France therefore succeeded in taming the vice-champion of England. And this is no small feat, especially since the start of the match was not favorable to him. At the end of the first quarter of an hour, they found themselves behind in the score. A ball lost by Adrien Thomasson in midfield allowed Gabriel Jesus to shoot Brice Samba and give the Londoners the advantage (14th).
🏁 An extraordinary evening! 🔴🟡
Driven by a fiery Bollaert, Racing, solid defensively and efficient in the opposing area, scored a deserved success at the end of a magnificent collective performance. Well done gentlemen 👏@RCLens 2️⃣-1️⃣ @Arsenal#RCLARS #UCL pic.twitter.com/sA6GKTEa6X
— Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) October 3, 2023
An advantage which, however, did not remain in place for too long. From the 25e minute, parity has been restored. And it was Thomasson who was responsible for equalizing. Revenge after his mistake, the former Strasbourg player placed an exceptional volley, which could only end in the bottom. The final gesture was magnificent, but so was Elye Wahi’s decisive pass, with a chest check then a pivot in his teammate’s race.
Decisive on this goal, the former Montpellier was again on the second, registered in the 69the. And this time it was he who was responsible for shaking the nets. Unhappy during the first days of the championship, the international hopeful has regained all his skill. On an excellent cross from Frankowski, he signed an unstoppable right-footed effort, occasionally setting Bollaert’s enclosure ablaze.
Brice Samba heroic
Between their two goals scored, the Lensois suffered. But they did not give in. Faced with the London assaults they gave in without breaking, relying in particular on an enormous Brice Samba. The international goalkeeper was heroic, with decisive saves against Havertz (20e) and Tomiyasu (67e). At the 90e, he also managed an aerial exit which relieved everyone in the stadium. Without him, it is not certain that the Artesians would have won.
IT’S MADNESS IN BOLLAERT 🍾 🍾
Elye Wahi takes a cross from Frankowski head on and gives the Sang et Or the advantage 🟡 🔴
The Lensois are 20 minutes away from the feat 🤞#RCLARS | #UCL pic.twitter.com/n0dN8RpFbO
— CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) October 3, 2023
There was therefore a lot of solidarity on the Lensois side. That said, it is not just the mental values that have allowed this team to write one of the most beautiful pages in its history. True to what she showed last season, she played her game without complexes and with great enthusiasm. Dance (5e) and Abdul Samed (64e) could very well have added their name to the list of scorers of the evening.
A feat in capital letters for Lens
In the end, it was a more than deserved victory for RCL. A success that will go down in history and on which the Northerners will be able to build. Franck Haise can be proud of his men, but also of his own work. 25 years after the druid Daniel Leclercq, he is the coach who guided the Sang et Or to triumph against the London ogre.
