Lens painfully validates its ticket for the Europa League play-offs

Published on : 12/12/2023 – 8:50 p.m.Modified : 12/12/2023 – 22:40

4 mins

The European dream does not yet end for RC Lens. The Sang et Or won (2-1) at the Bollaert stadium against Sevilla FC, Tuesday December 12, for the last day of the group stage of the Champions League. They validate their ticket for the play-offs for the round of 16 of the Europa League. However, the match was not a walk in the park for Lens.

The first half was poor in clear chances on both sides. A few attempts for the Sevillians in the first ten minutes of play. First through Sergio Ramos in the 5th^e minute from a corner, with a header that goes wide of the Lensois goals. A few moments later (7^e) the Sang et Or scare themselves by conceding an indirect free kick in their penalty area after a back pass from Kévin Danso, taken in the hand by goalkeeper Brice Samba. The set piece, however, was deflected for a corner by the Lens defense.

The RC Lens players have a lot of difficulty getting out of their camp and creating opportunities in the Sevillian camp. They are also forced to part ways with Nampalys Mendy, injured, who must give way to Neil el-Aynaoui in the 24th^e minute.

The Sevillians create the first big chance of the game on the 29th^e minute of play. A very heavy strike from Ivan Rakitic at the edge of the area came out of the fingertips by a superb flight from Brice Samba.

Despite a Lensoise attempt to overflow on the left side through Elye Wahi in the Sevillian camp – during added time of the first period (45^e+2) –, the Lensois fail to create a real opportunity to try to break the deadlock. However, they held their own against Sevilla FC. Zero to zero at the break.

Deliverance for the Lensois

From the 47^e minute, Elye Wahi rushes to goal and sees his attempt rejected by Marko Dmitrovic. However, an offside is signaled. Almost ten minutes later (56^e), the Sevillians create another big opportunity. Adria Pedrosa deflects a cross from the right side with the outside of her foot, and sees her attempt crash into the crossbar of the Lensois goals.

The situation is finally resolved for the Sang et Or at 61^e minute. After a race in the Sevillian camp, Elye Wahi delivers a pass for Facundo Medina, who collapses in the area after a foul by Boubakary Soumaré. The referee calls a penalty. Przemyslaw Frankowski takes care of it, and opens the scoring in the 63rd^e minute of a powerful strike.

The Sevillians try to respond to the 68^e minute via Youssef en-Nesyri. The Moroccan striker from the Spanish club pivoted into the Sang et Or area, but saw his attempt stopped by Brice Samba.

At the 75^e minute of play, Youssef en-Nesyri in turn collapsed in the area after a foul by Facundo Médina following a cross from the left. The referee whistles a penalty for the Sevillians. Sergio Ramos rushes to shoot it, but sees his attempt repelled by Brice Samba. But the penalty is finally withdrawn. Brice Samba was not on his line when the Sevillian penalty was taken. Sergio Ramos tries his luck again and converts it with a panenka under the crossbar in the 79th^e minute. Everything has to be redone, a goal everywhere.

You have to wait for 96^e minute of play to see the Lensois score a second goal. Angelo Fulgini is served in the center and deceives Marko Dmitrovic with a dive ball. This goal is synonymous with victory for the Lensois, who qualify for the play-offs for the round of 16 of the Europa League. The European dream is therefore not completely over for the Sang et Or, who will know their opponent for this accession play-off on December 18.

In the other Group B match, which took place at the same time, PSV Eindhoven hosted Arsenal. The two teams were already qualified for the round of 16 of the Champions League before even playing their meeting. The two teams ended in a draw (1-1).