In a tightly contested match at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Sunday, Lens secured a 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Trophee des Champions, despite being reduced to ten men. The decisive moment came early when Florian Thauvin scored the only goal of the game in the first half, handing Lens their first trophy under new manager Dino Toppmoeller.
Lens’ triumph added to their recent success, as they had already claimed the French Cup in May under former coach Pierre Sage. This victory marked a significant achievement for the club, which finished as Ligue 1 runners-up to PSG last season and qualified for the Trophee des Champions by winning their inaugural French Cup with a 3-1 victory against Nice.
Meanwhile, PSG, fresh off their UEFA Super Cup win over Aston Villa just four days earlier, struggled to assert themselves throughout the match. Despite having a numerical advantage after Lens’ Kyllian Antonio was sent off in the first half, PSG failed to capitalize on the opportunity. Compounding their difficulties, PSG defender Nuno Mendes was also shown a red card late in the game, ruling him out of their upcoming Ligue 1 opener against Rennes.
PSG’s Challenges and Team Selection
PSG coach Luis Enrique fielded a strong lineup, making only three changes from the team that secured the UEFA Super Cup victory. Notably, the match marked the second debut of Lucas Digne, the France left-back who recently returned to PSG from Aston Villa. However, forward Bradley Barcola, who has been linked with a potential transfer to Liverpool, was absent from the squad.
Early in the match, PSG dominated possession but struggled to convert their control into clear scoring opportunities. Lens’ goalkeeper, Robin Risser, remained composed, making routine saves and maintaining his team’s slender lead. Despite PSG’s efforts, the visitors could not break down Lens’ defense, which remained resilient even after being reduced to ten players.
Looking ahead, PSG will now focus on defending their Ligue 1 title, opening their campaign at home against Rennes next week. With key players suspended, the team will need to regroup quickly after this unexpected defeat in the Trophee des Champions.