Lens debutant Mezian Soares confirms Nantes' relegation

FC Nantes' relegation to Ligue 2 BKT was confirmed as RC Lens kept their bid to pip PSG to the Ligue 1 McDonald's title alive thanks to a slender win at the Stade Bollaert on Friday night (1-0).

Lens depleted but dominant

There was a lot riding on this game for both sides. Lens were desperate for a win in order to remain in the race for the Ligue 1 McDonald's title, ahead of hosting PSG in midweek. The gap going into the game, with three games to play, stood at six points, after Pierre Sage's side dropped points against Nice last weekend (1-1).

For Nantes, meanwhile, this was last-chance saloon. The surprise win over Olympique de Marseille (3-0) last week gave Vahid Halilhodzic's side hope. However, Auxerre's win over Angers later that weekend gave Les Canaris a mountain to climb. The gap between Nantes, in the automatic relegation place, and L'AJA, who occupy the relegation place, stood at five points with two games remaining. It was now or never for Nantes.

WHAT A MOMENT IN LENS ❤️‍🔥🤯🇵🇹

👦 16-year-old Mezian Soares set to debut
➡️ Subbed on in the 78th minute
⏱️ 14 seconds later, he scores his first pro goal pic.twitter.com/tmLiMaQjeb
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 8, 2026

Les Sang et Or, in a crucial game, found themselves, either through injury or suspension, without several key players. The likes of Florian Thauvin, Adrien Thomasson, and Mamadou Sangaré, to name but a few, were all absent for this game, but it didn't prevent them from setting the tone at the Stade Bollaert in the opeing exchanges. But neither side succeeded in providing any significant threat to the opposition goal inside the first 45 minutes.

Upon the return from the dressing rooms, it was Lens who showed the greater intensity, with Matthieu Udol forcing Anthony Lopes into a save from a tight angle (48'). Nantes had their chances, too. Robin risser got down well to save a volley from Johann Lepenant (56') as both clubs fought to keep their respective seasons alive going into the final week of the Ligue 1 McDonald's season.

Soares makes history

Lens thought that they had put themselves ahead when Wesley Said put a cross from Abdallah Sima into the back of the net (69') only for the offside flag to deny them. Sima then had the ball in the back of the net himself just moments later. Despite the goal initially being given, the forward was then adjudged to have handled in the build-up (71'). Another repreive for Nantes.

They almost made the most of it. Matthis Abline had a glorious chance, but instead of squaring for Ignatius Ganago, he took it on himself, but struck the post with his effort (75'). Moments later came the suckerpunch. Mezina Soares, on for his professional debut, needed just seconds to make a huge impact, needing just two touches to beat Anthony Lopes with a low strike (79'). In doing so, he became the second youngrest player to net on his Ligue 1 McDonald's debut, after Cyril Cassese for Toulon back in 1989.

There was a mountain to climb for Nantes. Despite pushing, they would not climb it. Next season, they will play in Ligue 2 BKT.

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