Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 6, 09/10/2026

Lens inflicted Lyon their first defeat of the Ligue 1 courtesy of an inspired display for Yannick Cahuzac’s home debut. Florian Thauvin delivered the goods with two assists. Khalis Merah’s late goal was in vain for Paulo Fonseca’s team.

After a three-week hiatus, Ligue 1 football returned with a mouth-watering game between Lens, winless in their last four Ligue 1 ties, and second-placed Lyon. For his debut at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Yannick Cahuzac, who took over following Dino Toppmöller’s surprise exit , hoped to become the first head coach to defeat Paulo Fonseca’s Les Gones in Ligue 1.

The hosts started quite well by dominating possession. Their positive start could have been rewarded had Dominik Greif not denied Florian Sotoca’s half-volley with a remarkable point-blank save. Lyon could not lay a glove on Lens. They were unable to register a single shot on target in the first half. They were indeed left to contain a rejuvenated and rampant Lens side.

Although Odsonne Edouard had a poor first half, Lens could still rely on 35-year-old Sotoca, who was given a surprise start in the absence of Abdallah Sima, but ahead of Franjo Ivanovic. Sotoca repaid Cahuzac’s faith with a clean half-volley goal after chesting down Florian Thauvin’s cross. The striker became the oldest player to score for the Artois side since… Cahuzac himself.

Lens could even have regrets given how they missed chances to double their lead. Thauvin drew a top save from Greif just before Edouard lost his one-on-one against the Slovakian keeper, Lyon’s best player in the first half. As for Lens, they were levels above the visitors in termes of shape, tactics and intensity. They looked to have made the most of the international break with Cahuzac at the helm.

Fonseca probably told his players what he felt after a first half this poor. Lyon finally made their presence felt with a couple of chances, but Robin Risser proved alert. Unfortunately for Les Gones, Loïs Openda limped off the pitch with an injury. The second half proved way more entertaining than the first, given that Lyon eventually put up a fight.

But unlike Lyon, Lens have a player in Thauvin able to bend the game to their will. The France international winger whipped a deep free-kick for Matthieu Udol to escape Zachary Athekame’s marking and head home. With 15 minutes left to play, Lens looked in the clear, until they weren’t.