Lens Downs Nantes in French Ligue 1 Match
Lens Continues Impressive Season with 3-1 Victory
Balogun Brace Leads the Way
RC Lens continued their impressive start to the season with a convincing 3-1 victory over Nantes in a French Ligue 1 match on Sunday. Super Eagles forward Terem Moffi opened the scoring for Lorient in the 12th minute, but Lens fought back with goals from Lois Openda and Adrien Thomasson to take a 2-1 lead into the break.
Lens dominated the second half and put the game to bed in the 65th minute when Nigerian striker Folarin Balogun netted his second goal of the match. The win moved Lens up to second in the Ligue 1 standings, just two points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
Nantes, meanwhile, dropped to 16th place with just one win from their first six матчи. The Canaries will be hoping to turn things around when they host Strasbourg next weekend.
Moffi's Early Goal Gives Lorient the Lead
Lorient started the match brightly and took the lead in the 12th minute when Moffi latched onto a through ball from Enzo Le Fée and fired past Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba. It was Moffi's second goal of the season and his first in Ligue 1.
Lens responded well to going behind and equalized just seven minutes later. Openda was the scorer, heading home from close range after a cross from Przemyslaw Frankowski.
Thomasson and Balogun Turn the Game in Lens' Favor
Lens took the lead for the first time in the 37th minute when Thomasson converted a penalty after Nantes defender Jean-Charles Castelletto was adjudged to have fouled Openda in the box.
Balogun made it 3-1 in the 65th minute, finishing off a fine move involving Openda and Frankowski. It was Balogun's fourth goal of the season and his third in Ligue 1.
Lens Continues to Impress Under Haise
Lens' victory over Nantes was their fourth in six Ligue 1 matches this season. Franck Haise's side have now won three of their last four matches and are unbeaten in their last five.
Lens will be hoping to continue their good form when they host Troyes next weekend. Nantes, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from their defeat when they travel to Strasbourg.
