Rafael Nogueira
RC Lens lifted the Coupe de France for the first time in their history, defeating OGC Nice 3-1 in the final at the Stade de France to cap off a memorable season.
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With both clubs hungry for silverware, the contest was tense from the first whistle. Allan Saint-Maximin nearly opened the scoring when his shot from just inside the box was steered inches over the bar. At the other end, Elye Wahi squandered a clear chance from close range for Les Aiglons. Saint-Maximin then rounded the goalkeeper to put himself in a prime position, only for his effort to be superbly blocked on the goal line. Robin Risser produced sharp saves to deny Sofiane Diop and Dante in quick succession at the other end.
The deadlock broke on 25 minutes. Florian Thauvin drilled home with his left foot from 15 yards out after meeting Matthieu Udol‘s precise pass into the box. It was Thauvin‘s 14th goal of the season, and it sent Les Sang et Or supporters into a frenzy at the prospect of a historic triumph.
Lens doubled their advantage at a pivotal moment. An excellent Thauvin corner found Odsonne Édouard, whose header took a deflection before flying past Maxime Dupé, putting Les Sang et Or firmly in control.
Nice responded in first-half stoppage time. Djibril Coulibaly‘s powerful header from Jonathan Clauss‘s corner halved the deficit and set up a compelling second half.
Les Aiglons pressed hard for an equaliser and came agonisingly close shortly after the hour mark, when Antoine Mendy‘s header from inside the box crashed off the bar. Lens held firm despite the pressure, and with 12 minutes remaining, Abdallah Sima restored the two-goal cushion with a poked effort that rolled past the oncoming Dupé and over the line.
Florian Thauvin. Source: Official Website of Ligue 1
Nice refused to quit. Substitute Kevin Carlos saw his header bounce off the outside of the post with less than 10 minutes to go, hitting the woodwork for the second time in the match.
Lens managed the closing stages composedly to secure a famous 3-1 victory and their first-ever Coupe de France trophy, a fitting conclusion to an outstanding campaign for Pierre Sage‘s side.
The season is far from finished for Nice. Les Aiglons travel to AS Saint-Étienne on Tuesday for the first leg of their Ligue 1 relegation play-off.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Florian Thauvin (RC Lens)
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