RC Lens have stunned French champions Paris Saint-Germain with a 1-0 victory to win the Trophée des Champions, the French Champions’ Trophy, for the first time in the club’s history.
The dramatic victory came on Sunday at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, with Lens holding on despite playing with 10 men for almost an hour.
Lens took the lead in the 32nd minute when experienced forward Florian Thauvin found the back of the net, giving the hosts a crucial advantage. Just seven minutes later, however, Lens were reduced to 10 men after Kylian Antonio was sent off following a strong challenge on a PSG player.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Lens produced a disciplined defensive display to keep PSG at bay for the remainder of the match.
PSG dominated possession and created several opportunities as they searched for an equaliser. They appeared to have found one in the second half when Fabián Ruiz put the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
The Parisian side were eventually reduced to 10 men themselves when Nuno Mendes was sent off in the 87th minute for an elbow to the face of Lens forward Michal Skoras.
Lens held firm until the final whistle to secure a historic triumph.
The victory is particularly significant because it marks Lens’ first-ever Trophée des Champions title. The club had previously appeared in the competition only once, in 1998, when they lost to PSG.
The result also handed new Lens manager Dino Toppmöller a dream start in his first official match in charge. Lens entered the encounter as reigning Coupe de France winners after lifting the trophy in May under former coach Pierre Sage.
For PSG, the defeat ended their hopes of securing a second trophy within five days. The European champions had won the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday after defeating Aston Villa 2-1 in Salzburg.
PSG had also won the Trophée des Champions in each of the previous four editions, making Lens’ victory an even more notable upset.
The triumph gives Lens an early piece of silverware and could provide significant confidence ahead of the new French football season.
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