The Stade Bollaert erupted in jubilation as Lens captain Florian Thauvin slotted home his second penalty of the match, sealing a commanding 5-2 victory over Auxerre in the opening game of the French Ligue 1 season. Thauvin, a World Cup winner in 2018, was the star of the show, converting from the spot either side of the break to continue Lens's strong form from last season, where they finished second behind Paris Saint-Germain.
Thauvin's first penalty came after just 12 minutes, following a handball by Belgium under-21 midfielder Arthur Piedfort. The packed crowd was sent into a frenzy as Thauvin's low finish found the back of the net. Auxerre's woes were compounded when defender Christ Massoko was shown a red card for a foul on Lens attacker Abdallah Sima, leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb.
Lens continued to dominate after the break. New signing Franjo Ivanovic opened his account for Les Sang et Or with a smooth finish, followed shortly by Saud Abdulhamid, who was set up by Thauvin. Auxerre managed to pull one back through Danny Namaso's penalty, but Lens quickly restored their three-goal cushion with Ismael Ganiou's strike.
The match seemed to be winding down when Lamine Sy scored a consolation goal for Auxerre, but Thauvin had the final say. With just two minutes remaining, he coolly converted his second penalty to secure the emphatic victory. The result marks a stunning start for Lens, following their victory over PSG in the French Champions Trophy under new German coach Dino Toppmoeller.
Auxerre, on the other hand, will be ruing their missed opportunities and the early red card that derailed their game plan. The defeat is a harsh lesson as they begin their campaign in the top flight. Meanwhile, Lens fans will be buoyed by their team's performance, hoping it sets the tone for a successful season.
