Lens go fourth with win over Paris FC
RC Lens kept up their strong start to the season, winning for the fifth time in seven matches at home, beating Paris FC 2-1. Catch up on the Ligue 1 McDonald's clash in our latest match report.
Edouard saves Thauvin's blushes
While this encounter would take some doing to top the thrilling encounter between Paris Saint-Germain and RC Strasbourg on Friday, for close observers of Ligue 1 McDonald's, this match had plenty to offer. Paris FC had spent heavily this summer, and their eleven from the off featured almost entirely new faces, while Lens had been rather more conservative in the mercato, but have been riding high thanks to the strong play of Florian Thauvin, the veteran forward recently recalled to the French national team.
As it was this afternoon, Thauvin would be a step off his usual best, as he missed a penalty just nine minutes into the match, with Obed Nkambadio making a fine save. Despite Thauvin's miss, another canny veteran would step up in the form of Adrien Thomasson. Injuries and player sales have often seen Thomasson -- who has been quietly impressive throughout a long Ligue 1 career across spells in Nantes, Strasbourg and Evian -- played in a deeper midfield role. It was there where featured from the off today, but it mattered little as he delivered a fine counter for Odsonne Édouard to head the hosts in front (16')
2 goals in last 2 games for Odsonne Édouard! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/y7hH6bVPMp
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) October 19, 2025
Baidoo heads home the winner before VAR denies PFC
Paris FC weren't long in responding, though, as Pierre Lees-Melou found the bottom corner via a deflection after Ilan Kebbal's cutback just before the half-hour. The match continued to be played at a searing pace, but neither side came close to taking the lead, and it remained one-all at the break.
Into the second half, Paris FC started the more lively, with Robin Risser saving smartly from Adama Camara (48'). Lens would re-take the lead just past the hour, though, as Samson Baidoo scored with a powerful header (again from a Thomasson corner) giving Le Sang et Or a lead they wouldn't relinquish. While Paris FC would feel they had a shout for a penalty moments later, further presentable chances would be lacking for both sides and ahead of a massive visit from Marseille next weekend, Lens will be pleased with a well-deserved win.
The stat: 7
Lens have the division's best defence to date this season, having conceded just seven goals in their eight matches.
