Diouf Makes 14 Saves, Nakamura Records Brace in Reims' Win

The contest stayed scoreless until the 33rd minute when Reims' Sergio Akieme crossed the ball in for the first time, but it was deflected and returned to him. He crossed again, this time low to the ground toward Nakamura, who struck it first time and scored. Mathew Ryan couldn’t do anything about it.

Despite conceding the opening goal, Will Still and his team had plenty of scoring chances to level the match. However, RC Lens couldn't beat Diouf, who was a brick wall for Samba Diawara and his team as he made 14 total saves.

With Les Sang et Or unable to beat Diouf, Reims added a late goal to seal the win as Nhoa Sangui carried the ball up the pitch, drew the defense, and laid it off to Nakamura, who beat Ryan to give the visitors a two-goal lead.

After scoring a brace, the 24-year-old attacker spoke to DAZN about his team's win over RC Lens.

“It was a tough match, especially in the second half because we didn’t have the ball much. It was really hard, so I’m very happy with this win."

"A perfect evening? It was my first brace in Ligue 1, we had never won here in Lens since I arrived, and I just want to enjoy it with the fans.”

With the win, Reims move out of the relegation zone and up to 14th in the table. Heading into the weekend, they sit ahead of Angers SCO in 15th and Le Havre in 16th.

The Stat: 14

Diouf was a wall for Reims on Friday night, making 14 saves against Lens—the most in a Ligue 1 McDonald's match since Opta started tracking stats in 2006–07.

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