2023-12-12 21:50:39
As part of the sixth and final day of the group stage of the Champions League, RC Lens hosted Sevilla FC on Tuesday evening at the Bollaert stadium. The Sang et Or won (2-1) against the Sevillians and qualified for the play-offs for the round of 16 of the Europa League.
Published on: 12/12/2023 – 8:50 p.m.
4 mn
The European dream does not yet end for RC Lens. The Sang et Or won (2-1) at the Bollaert stadium against Sevilla FC on Tuesday December 12 for the last day of the group stage of the Champions League. They validate their ticket for the play-offs for the round of 16 of the Europa League. However, the match was not a walk in the park for Lens.
The first half was poor in clear chances on both sides. A few attempts for the Sevillians in the first ten minutes of play. First through Sergio Ramos in the 5th minute from a corner, with a header which went wide of the Lensois goals. A few moments later (7th) the Sang et Or scared themselves by conceding an indirect free kick in their penalty area after a back pass from Kévin Danso taken in the hand by goalkeeper Brice Semba. The set piece, however, was deflected for a corner by the Lens defense.
The RC Lens players have a lot of trouble getting out of their camp, and finding opportunities in the Sevillian camp. They are also forced to part with the injured Nampalys Mendy, who must give way to Neil el-Aynaoui in the 24th minute.
The Sevillians created the first big chance of the game in the 29th minute of play. A very heavy strike from Ivan Rakitic at the edge of the area was released from the fingertips by a superb flight from Brice Semba.
Despite a Lensoise attempt to overflow on the left side through Elye Wahi in the Sevillian camp – during added time of the first period (45th + 2) –, the Lensois fail to create a real opportunity to try to unlock score. However, they held their own against Sevilla FC. Zero to zero at the break.
Deliverance for the Lensois
From the 47th minute, Elye Wahi rushed to goal and saw his attempt rejected by Marko Dmitrovic. However, an offside is signaled. Almost ten minutes later (56th), the Sevillians created another big opportunity. Adria Pedrosa deflects a cross from the right side with the outside of her foot, and sees her attempt crash into Brice Semba’s crossbar.
The situation finally resolved for the Lensois in the 61st minute. After a race in the Sevillian camp, Elye Wahi delivers a pass for Facundo Medina who collapses in the area after a foul by Boubakary Soumaré. The referee whistles penalty. Przemyslaw Frankowski takes care of it, and opens the scoring in the 63rd minute with a powerful strike.
The Sevillians try to respond in the 68th minute through Youssef en-Nesyri. The Moroccan striker from the Spanish club pivoted into the Sang et Or area, but saw his attempt stopped by Brice Semba.
In the 75th minute of play, Youssef en-Nesyri collapsed in the area after a foul by Facundo Médina following a cross from the left. The referee whistles a penalty for the Sevillians. Sergio Ramos rushes to shoot it, but sees his attempt repelled by Brice Semba. But the penalty is finally withdrawn. Brice Semba was not on his line when the Sevillian penalty was taken. Sergio Ramos tries his luck again and converts it with a panenka under the crossbar in the 79th minute. Everything has to be redone, a goal everywhere.
We had to wait until the 96th minute of play to see the Lensois score a second goal. Angelo Fulgini is served in the center and deceives Marko Dmitrovic with a dive ball. This goal is synonymous with victory for the Lensois, who qualify for the play-offs to reach the round of 16 of the Europa League. The European dream is not completely over for the Sang et Or.
In the other Group B match, which took place at the same time, PSV Eindhoven hosted Arsenal. Both teams were already qualified for the round of 16 of the competition even before playing their match. The two teams also ended in a draw (1-1).
#pain #Lens #validates #ticket #Europa #League #playoffs