European challengers Strasbourg and Lens see out hard-fought draw

Two European challengers, Strasbourg and Lens, saw out an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Meinau on Friday evening.

Strasbourg's talisman strikes again

After a defeat last week, which saw them cede their lead in Ligue 1 McDonald's, Lens were looking to show a reaction at the Meinau and their intensity and organisation in the press caused issues in the opening minutes, but despite some high turnovers, no big chance was created. The first of those fell for the hosts. Samir El Mourabet found Julio Enciso with a through-ball, but the Paraguayan failed to beat Robin Risser (11'), himself looking for redemption after being at fault for Monaco's first goal last week. His save with his outstretched leg was reminiscent of that spectacular Emiliano Martinez save from Randal Kolo Muani during the World Cup final.

Soon after, Gary O'Neil's men took the lead. It was Ismaelo Ganiou with the error, with the young defender underhitting his pass back to Risser. Joaquín Panichelli raced in on it and capitalised, chipping the France youth international (18').

But that was the last clear sight of goal that Strasbourg would have in the first half. The best chances thereafter would come for Lens and specifically, for Odsonne Édouard. The former Crystal Palace forward was on the slide at the back post when he failed to turn in a flick-on from a corner (41'), and moments later, he was on the slide again, this time failing to get a shot on target from Wesley Said's ball across goal (44').

No one has more goals than Panichelli this season 🇦🇷❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/EFaRYcXgnf
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) February 27, 2026

It was Lens who had the first sight of goal in the second half, too, even if they had to wait until almost the hour mark for it. It was Les Sang et Or's pressing that was the regular source of the chances and that was the case when Adrien Thomasson put the ball on the head of Florian Thauvin (58'). He couldn't get his shot on target but did seconds later. Mike Penders was equal to it at his near post (59').

And a third shot, just seconds later, again would have been on target, had Ismael Doukouré not made a goalbound effort from the France international (61'). But the resistance was always going to be broken at the rate that Strasbourg were conceding chances, and it was from the following corner. The ball came out to Mamadou Sangaré , who blasted his shot off the inside of the post (62').

The best chances continued to come for the away side, with Strasbourg struggling for fluency on the ball throughout the game. Matthieu Udol fired over from a tight angle (83') as the game approached the dying stages. But neither side would procure that final chance and the game would end a stalemate. Lens are still yet to lose two Ligue 1 McDonald's games in a row all season, but they could lose ground in the title race, should PSG beat Le Havre later this weekend.

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