FC Metz secured three crucial points to aid them in the relegation battle after their 2-1 win over RC Lens on Friday night at the Stade Municipal Saint-Symphorien.
Lens started off on the right foot in the contest as Florian Sotoca scored a penalty in the 13th minute to open the scoring. Despite being down less than 15 minutes into the match, Metz responded with two unanswered goals.
Georges Mikautadze became Metz's hero with a brace before the interval. The 23-year-old scored in the 34th minute to level the scoring, and then in first-half stoppage time, he found the back of the net again, allowing Les Grenats to take a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.
Franck Haise and his team had ten total shots in the second half as they looked for the game-tying goal, but it never came. Metz recorded four total shots in the final 45 minutes in an attempt to score an insurance goal and secure the win.
The loss isn't ideal for Lens who lose ground in the race to land a European spot for next season. Les Sang et Or trail OGC Nice by one point, and thus missed an opportunity to leapfrog Francesco Farioli and his team.
#FCMRCL [ ℙ𝕣𝕠 ]
— FC Metz ☨ (@FCMetz) April 12, 2024
⏱️ C'est terminé !!!!
Devants à la pause, les Grenats ont su faire le dos rond en seconde période. VICTOIRE !!
2️⃣ - 1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/r7BN8Gqv9u
As for Metz, the three points are a significant boost in their attempt to avoid relegation from Ligue 1 this season. The win over Lens puts László Bölöni and his team level with FC Lorient on points for the relegation playoff position.
Les Merlus hold the tiebreaker due to goal differential, but they now have the pressure of securing points in their final six matches.
