RC Lens close to PSG after comfortable win over FC Metz
RC Lens took full advantage of Paris Saint-Germain’s defeat earlier in the weekend to move within one point of the Ligue 1 leaders after a commanding 3-0 victory over FC Metz at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Sunday afternoon.
Pierre Sage’s side dominated proceedings throughout and were rewarded with three goals either side of half-time, condemning the struggling visitors to a 13th consecutive league match without a win.
Lens controlled possession early and repeatedly tested Metz goalkeeper Alexandre Fischer, who kept the visitors level during a one-sided first half. Odsonne Edouard and Abdoulaye Sima both went close, while Adrien Thomasson saw a volley fly over the bar as the pressure mounted.
The breakthrough finally arrived just before the interval. Following a half-cleared cross, Saud Abdulhamid struck a superb half-volley in the 44th minute, sending the ball into the corner of the net to give the hosts a deserved lead.
Lens immediately tightened their grip on the match after the restart. Within seconds of the second half beginning, a slick passing move saw Thomasson release Florian Thauvin, who drove into the box before calmly finishing to double the advantage.
The Sang et Or then put the result beyond doubt six minutes later. Combining neatly with Matthieu Udol inside the area, Amadou Haïdara completed a quick one-two before slotting home to make it 3-0.
With the game effectively decided, Lens controlled the tempo and comfortably saw out the closing stages, while Metz struggled to produce any attacking threat — failing to register a single shot on target.
The result lifts Lens back into the title conversation as they move to within one point of Paris Saint-Germain, while Metz remain rooted to the bottom of the table, their survival hopes fading with each passing week.
THE STAT: Assist Expert
Adrien Thomasson, who provided the assist for Lens' second goal, reached 100 goal contributions in Ligue 1 (48 goals, 52 assists). Among current players in the league, only his teammate Florian Thauvin (140) and Rémy Cabella (107) have also reached this milestone.
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