Metz and Lille see out goalless draw
Lille OSC's difficult run of form continued as they were held to a goalless draw by Ligue 1 McDonald's bottom-placed side FC Metz.
Two nearly moments
LOSC came into this game off the back of four consecutive losses in Ligue 1 McDonald's. It is form unbefitting of a side pushing for European football, as they are. Beyond those defeats in the league, there has also been a loss in the Europa League and an elimination from the Coupe de France, at the hands of Lyon. For Bruno Génésio's side, Friday night, therefore, represented a chance to get their season back on track.
And facing Ligue 1 McDonald's bottom side, it is perhaps unsurprising that they had the lion's share of the chances at the Stade Saint Symphorien. They thought that they would have a glorious chance in just the fourth minute when the referee pointed to the penalty spot, only for VAR to correct the decision and Matias Fernandez-Pardo to be subsequently shown a yellow card for simulation.
90' I 0⃣- 0⃣
FT. Despite a dominant performance, LOSC are forced to settle for a point against FC Metz. #FCMLOSC pic.twitter.com/LKOADectsp— LOSC (@LOSC_EN) February 6, 2026
VAR came to Metz's rescue then, but it would deny Les Grénats in the 18th minute. Fodé Ballo-Touré had the ball in the back of the net and thought he had given his side the lead, but he would be denied on review, with an offside spotted in the build-up.
And the net would not bulge thereafter, despite Lille's attempts to break the deadlock on what proved to be another frustrating night for Lille. Hakon Arnar Haraldsson was left frustrated at having failed to give his side the lead just before half-time. Presented with a one-on-one scenario thanks to some sumptuous build-up involving Tiago Santos, the Iceland international failed to hit the target with his effort (39').
It was new signing and debutant Noah Edjouma who then had another glorious chance, just one minute later, but found in a central position from a cutback, he would blaze his effort over Ben Fischer's bar (40').
A first clean sheet since November for Metz
Edjouma was then about to unleash a shot from a brilliant position, but was denied by some excellent defensive work from Koffi Kouao (44'). Not that it was all one-way traffic. Habib Diallo's effort, which passed just over Berke Ozer's bar reminded LOSC that there remained a threat at the other end (51').
The best chances, however, would continue to be procured by the visitors and Haraldsson would once again shoot wide, this time from around 20 metres out (56'). Félix Correia would then hit the post from inside the box (76') before a frantic end. Gauthier Hein was put through on goal but failed with his lob (90+6'). From disappointment at missing out on all three points, they were grateful to take away just one point when Fischer made a brilliant save from another debutant, Gaetan Perrin (90+7').
Lille ended their dire run but failed to register an all-important win, whilst Metz also stopped the rot by not losing for the first time in four games in all competitions. It was also their first clean sheet in Ligue 1 McDonald's since 2nd November 2025, but it does not lift them off the bottom of the table.
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